Interrupting Ableism in Stuttering Therapy and Research: Practical Suggestions

Abstract

Purpose: The purposes of this tutorial are (a) to critically review the ways in which stuttering therapy and research are both constrained by and resistant to ableism and (b) to offer practical suggestions for further interrupting stuttering-related ableism in the discipline of speech-language pathology. Method: At the beginning of the tutorial, the concept of ableism is introduced and the effects of ableism on people who stutter are discussed. Following an overview of the discipline's current strengths in resisting ableism associated with stuttering, five practical suggestions for further interrupting ableism are provided. To illustrate how these suggestions might be enacted, real and hypothetical clinical and research scenarios are presented throughout. Although this tutorial draws heavily on the experiences of adults who stutter, many of the concepts are also relevant to kids and teens who stutter. Conclusion: Speech-language pathologists can be change agents in interrupting ableism associated with stuttering and powerful allies to people who stutter.