What Do Adults Who Stutter Think About the Nature of Stuttering Treatment?

Abstract

Purpose: Worldwide, there is an abundance of different treatment strategies, mechanisms, and constituents for individuals who stutter. This study explored what adults who stutter (AWS) think about the nature of stuttering treatment and its components and whether they feel stigmatized. Method: A survey containing nine statements about components of stuttering treatment and one question related to stigmatization was sent to AWS around the world. In total, 213 respondents were included in the study, spread out over North America, South America, Asia, Europe, and Australia/Oceania. Finally, three open-ended questions explored their opinion about important treatment aspects, the qualities of a speech-language pathologist (SLP), and what an ideal treatment looks like. Results: The nine statements referring to stuttering treatment were all seen as key components by more than half of the respondents. Nearly 80% found it very or extremely important that an SLP helps them with stuttering-related anxiety and thoughts, feeling more comfortable in different speaking situations, introducing them to speech strategies, and providing assistance in accepting themselves as a speaker. Three of these four statements were found more important by men than women. Especially respondents from North America and Europe found that (self) acceptance is important. About 50% think they are stigmatized. Conclusions: The survey unveiled that AWS particularly found treatment components focusing on speech and underlying thoughts important. However, it is also clear that AWS' individual opinions vary relative to what they think are important treatment components. Translating these findings to daily practice entails that SLPs should be trained in different treatment programs or approaches to meet the individual needs of each AWS. One size does not fit all. It seems crucial that researchers who conduct clinical trials for stuttering treatments employ more than stuttering reduction as an outcome measure.