Adults who stutter (AWS) are a heterogeneous group in terms of lived experiences and expectations for treatment. In this SIG 4 activity, learners will read three peer-reviewed articles that focus on individual experiences of AWS that may lead to individual preferences in treatment approaches. The first article examines correlations between stuttering severity and measures of life satisfaction, self-acceptance, self-compassion, and avoidance among AWS, comparing those who sought support from family, friends, or the National Stuttering Association to those who did not. The second article focuses on treatment preferences and reports on a multinational survey study investigating what AWS consider important aspects of stuttering treatment. The results indicate that, while most AWS value help with speech strategies and anxiety, there is significant individual variation in treatment preferences based on factors like gender and geographical region. Finally, the last article centers on the perceived positive experiences and benefits of stuttering reported by 77 AWS. The analysis reveals four major themes: development of skills, qualities, and talents; personal development; coping strategies; and support from others, highlighting various ways that individuals have found positive meaning in their stuttering experiences.

Learning Outcomes
You will be able to:

• describe how different types of support (e.g., from friends, family, or formal organizations) may impact self-acceptance, avoidance behaviors, and overall life satisfaction in AWS
• explain how factors like gender, cultural background, and desired focus areas (e.g., speech strategies, anxiety reduction, self-acceptance) can lead to development of a personalized treatment plan for AWS
• identify and discuss three potential positive experiences or benefits related to stuttering reported by AWS

Assessment Type
Self-assessment—Think about what you learned and report on the Completion Form how you will use your new knowledge.

Articles in This Course

1. Correlations Between Stuttering Severity and Satisfaction With Life, Self-Acceptance, Self-Compassion, and Avoidance in People Who Stutter: Variability by Sources of Support by Laura W. Plexico and Stephen A. Erath, published in SIG 4, Volume 8, Issue 3, June 6, 2023
2. What Do Adults Who Stutter Think About the Nature of Stuttering Treatment? by Martine Vanryckeghem and Sabine Van Eerdenbrugh, published in SIG 4, Volume 9, Issue 2, April 4, 2024
3. Positive Experiences Related to Stuttering in Adults Who Stutter by Vasupradaa Manivannan, Angela M. Medina, Santosh Maruthy, Meet Singhal, Anshul Agarwal, and Vinaya Manchaiah, published in SIG 4, Volume 8, Issue 5, October 12, 2023