Being a Speech-Language Pathologist (SLP), I was very interested in seeing the movie The King’s Speech. Below is the film’s trailer.
HERE is a movie depicting the real King George speaking before a crowd. You’ll notice his stuttering is mostly characterized by blocks.
What I was most interested in were the ethical issues in the movie. First, King George’s therapist, Lionel Logue, promises to cure him. He obviously did this to instill confidence and hope in his new patient who had seen therapist after therapist without relief. One could be anachronistic and read modern professional ethical standards back into this period , but it is best to remember that this a period piece and thus different standards were in place. The movie does remind us how things have changed for the better as the American Speech Language Hearing Association’s (ASHA) Code of Ethics states “Individuals shall not guarantee the results of any treatment or procedure, directly or by implication…”. To make such a guarantee in this age could possible open a therapist up to litigation.
The second ethical issue that intrigued me was how Lionel Logue kept the king’s confidentiality. He never revealed he was treating the King of England, not even to his wife. How many therapists could keep a secret like that? The king’s identity is only revealed after he visits Mr. Logue in his home. Logue would have been praised for keeping this modern day ethical standard: “Individuals shall not reveal, without authorization, any professional or personal information about identified persons served professionally” (ASHA Code of Ethics).
Overall, I found it a realistic portrayal of stuttering therapy practices in the late 1930’s and early 1940’s. Though the film might not be useful for teaching modern day stuttering therapy practices, it is very useful in thinking through at least these two ethical issues. Some SLPs might dislike Mr. Logue’s skills in patient rapport, but perhaps we need a little more bravado in the field and less fear of being sued. Logue reminds me of the late Charles Van Riper (see picture).
Deus Tecum 