Washington, Nov. 01 (SANA) Listening to the personal experiences of people who stutter could help develop more comprehensive treatment approaches that address the psychological and social effects of the condition, alongside improving speech fluency and communication skills, a recent US study has found.
Researchers at Binghamton University analyzed 30 personal narratives by speech-language pathologists who stutter themselves to identify the challenges they had faced and how they had learned to cope with them.
According to a report published on the university’s website on Saturday, the study, which appeared in the Journal of Fluency Disorders, found that incorporating such experiences into treatment could help clinicians better understand the everyday difficulties faced by people who stutter.
Traditional approaches to stuttering treatment have primarily focused on reducing speech disruptions, including pauses and repetitions, to improve fluency. However, these methods do not always address the psychological and social challenges that people who stutter may encounter in their daily lives.
The narratives examined in the study showed that stuttering can affect more than speech itself. It may undermine self-confidence, cause embarrassment or fear of speaking in front of others, and lead individuals to avoid conversations and social gatherings for fear of being judged or embarrassed.
The accounts also highlighted the importance of self-acceptance and being able to discuss stuttering openly, without shame or attempts to conceal it. Building confidence and feeling comfortable expressing thoughts and participating in social life were also identified as important aspects of living with the condition.
The researchers said listening to the experiences of people who stutter gives speech-language pathologists a deeper understanding of the challenges their patients face outside therapy sessions. This can help clinicians identify individual needs and provide care that addresses the linguistic, psychological and social dimensions of the condition.
The study stressed that assessing the effectiveness of stuttering treatment should go beyond measuring improvements in speech fluency or reductions in speech disruptions. It should also take into account whether individuals can communicate, express their ideas and participate in everyday activities with greater confidence and ease.
The findings highlight the importance of involving people who stutter in designing treatment programs and drawing on their experiences to develop approaches that encourage self-acceptance, strengthen self-confidence and improve communication skills.
Stuttering is a speech fluency disorder characterized by the repetition of sounds, syllables or words, the prolongation of sounds, or involuntary interruptions in speech. It can affect self-confidence and communication with others. The condition often emerges during childhood and may persist into adulthood in some individuals.
R.H/R.K
