Welcome to stuttering.
Maybe you’ve had a class in graduate school that mentioned stuttering, or maybe you were lucky to have a semester-long class that covered fluency or fluency disorders, but as time went on those lectures just became a thing of the past as you’ve started to take on a caseload that did not involve any people who stutter.
Perhaps you work in a school and just got a student on your caseload who stutters, maybe you work in a private practice setting and are taking on a stuttering case. Whatever your story is, we are glad you came to this page to begin your journey into the stuttering community.
So welcome, here is where you can find plenty of resources- both evidence based and lived-experience based. This is a good place to start, as these resources are vetted by actual people who stutter- you know, the people that you are treating.
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As you begin your journey into understanding stuttering, you will come across many different websites with information that might not include the best language to describe stuttering (including words that insinuate “fixing” stuttering, or describing it as a negative disorder.) Here at Myspeech, we align ourselves most with the following definitions/explanations of stuttering:
-ASHA’s definition of stuttering: https://www.asha.org/public/speech/disorders/stuttering/
-The NSA (National Stuttering Association) has a great page outlining what stuttering is and what it isn’t: https://westutter.org/understanding-stuttering/
Additionally, what better way to learn than from the experts themselves?
-You can check out our blog to read more about what stuttering is from a person who stutters’ (PWS) point of view.
-Check out James Hayden’s blog that focuses on giving readers an honest look at stuttering through the point of view of a person who stutters.
Not into reading? That’s fine SLP, luckily for you, we have some videos you can check out!-Open Stutter: Open Stutter has served as a resource for individuals who stutter around the globe to learn more about stuttering, for support groups, and for SLPs to use in service of PWS.
-Stutter- A Short Movie: A movie made by a person who stutters that takes you along through his journey with his stutter.
-I don’t need to be fixed- what I wish the world knew about stammering: A very moving video that offers a point of view that might be different than what we are used to. People who stutter are not broken- they do not need “fixing” , they need understanding.
-I stutter. But I need you to listen: The film suggests that the problem may lie not with people who stutter but with a society that is largely unprepared or disinclined to accommodate them. SLPs, let’s do better for the people we have sworn to serve.
*What’s great about these videos is that they can later serve as great talking points and resources to use WITH your clients.
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SLP, we know you listen for a living. This section is just a really nice reminder that we can always learn to listen better.
You can start by checking out this blog post from our deputy executive director (she is an SLP and not a PWS). Her blog post talks about how, in essence, active listening is great, but tough to incorporate in real time.
We love this resource, even though its target audience is teachers, we can all learn from it. Check out the full blog post here: https://blog.tcea.org/eight-tips-practicing-active-listening-classroom/
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Dr. Joseph Sheehan describes stuttering using an iceberg analogy:
“Stuttering may be likened to an iceberg, with the major portion below the surface. What people see and hear is the smaller portion; far greater, and more dangerous and destructive, is that which lies below the surface, experienced as fear, guilt, and anticipation of shame. For an adult or an adolescent mature enough to tolerate it, public presentation of the self as a stutterer has major therapeutic effects. The portion of the iceberg exposed to the sunlight of public view melts away more quickly.”
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The “F” word that we will be talking is: Fluency. Very rarely do we describe our clients based on what they cannot do, we usually focus on their strengths. Fluency is a measure of what your clients are unable to achieve, therefore sending a rather damaging message to the client and their families. It’s time to get rid of the “f” word!
-This wonderful article by Tichenor et al. (2021) outlines exactly why “fluency” is not the best word we could be using when talking about or referring to stuttering.
-Another GREAT resource is this blog post by Nina Reeves (who is a pioneer in the shift of perspective around stuttering therapy). There are videos in this blog post by some amazing
-Check out this amazing SLP’s Instagram post about why fluency just isn’t the way to go anymore.
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Within the SLP scope of practice is counseling! Counseling is integral to the clinical services provided by SLPs however, there are situations and behaviors that warrant referring individuals to and collaborating with mental health professionals. Think back to the iceberg, remember what was under the water? Counseling will target the anxiety, shame, depression, isolation etc. that are reported within the stuttering population. Let’s melt that iceberg!
It might be a bit scary at first, but we have your back SLP. Here are some resources to help with counseling people who stutter:
-Let’s start with ASHA’s guide: Counseling For Professional Service Delivery
-Another great resource is The Stuttering Foundation’s post outlining the principles of counseling people who stutter.
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Allyship is imperative to continue to spread stuttering awareness. Spreading awareness increases societal exposure to stuttering, and in turn, makes stuttering more understood in society. The more we do to help people understand stuttering, the less harmful stereotypes about stuttering will be accepted.
This infographic from the National Stuttering Association is an amazing start to learn about allyship.
-This is also a great illustrated guide on why it’s important to be an ally and how to be an ally.
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You can keep up with all things stuttering and learn from PWS, SLPs who support PWS, and organizations for PWS! Here are some of our faves: (the list will continue to grow, so check back!)
People who stutter:
Franky Banky: https://www.instagram.com/heyfrankybanky/
Stutterology: https://www.instagram.com/stutterology/
Stephen Greene (The Stutterverse): https://www.instagram.com/the_stutterverse/
Christopher Anderson: https://www.instagram.com/ewmoment/
Ryan Cowley: https://www.instagram.com/imryancowley/
Brian Jason Woo: https://www.instagram.com/stutteringloudly
Maya Chupkov: https://www.instagram.com/mayachupkov/
Jerome Ellis: https://www.instagram.com/jjjjjeromeellis/
Stutter Proudly: https://www.instagram.com/stutterproudly/
Nina G: https://www.instagram.com/ninagcomedian/
Willemijn: https://www.instagram.com/juststutter/
SLPs we love:
Martha Horrocks: https://www.instagram.com/martha_speech/
Brown Cub Speech: https://www.instagram.com/brown.cub.speech/
Speech IRL: https://www.instagram.com/speechirl/
Organizations that we stand behind:
Stuttering Therapy Resources: https://www.instagram.com/stutteringtherapyresources
Stamily: https://www.instagram.com/stamilyofficial/
NSA: https://www.instagram.com/westutter/
FRIENDS: https://www.instagram.com/friendswhostutter/
SAY: https://www.instagram.com/sayorg/
World Stuttering Network: https://www.instagram.com/worldstutteringnetwork/
Stammering Ireland: https://www.instagram.com/stammeringireland/
American Institute for Stuttering: https://www.instagram.com/aisstutter/
SPACE: https://www.instagram.com/spacetostutter/
Facebook Groups:
World Stuttering Network: https://www.facebook.com/groups/950628212031605
From Stuttering to Confidence: https://www.facebook.com/groups/659693024494808
Stuttering Unfiltered: Dialogue for Change https://www.facebook.com/groups/840481800881725
Stuttering Support for SLPs: https://www.facebook.com/groups/313139589182725
Give yourself a pat on the back, SLP. You have made it through our crash course. Just by being interested in learning more, you have made a crucial step toward being a more stutter-affirming SLP- and we thank you for that.