Practical Thoughts Blog
Feb 19, 2026
Why can stuttering be so confusing to listeners? Part 1: Variability
Stuttering varies. Everyone knows that. The amount of stuttering that people experience on the inside or show on the outside changes depending upon the situation in which they are speaking, the specific speaking task in which they are engaged, the conversational partner or listener to whom they are speaking, and more; it also varies at different points in time, within the same day or across...
Feb 09, 2026
Remembering our dear friend, Bill Murphy
Bill was a pioneer in our field—a true “clinician’s clinician,” who did groundbreaking work in bringing resources from counseling psychology and social work to the field of speech-language pathology.
Jan 04, 2026
Understanding Stuttering Through A Wide-Angle Lens: Information for Parents and Caregivers
As a parent or caregiver of a child who stutters, it is natural to be concerned about your child's speech and curious about how to help them. We hope this blog is one of many resources that can build your knowledge and understanding of your child’s experience of stuttering. Because stuttering is a neurologically based speech difference, there are no easy ways to help children...
Apr 07, 2025
If Stuttering Is Verbal Diversity, then Is It Still a Disorder?
Stuttering is a disorder and a difference. Stuttering is a disability if the person who stutters experiences negative impact because of their stuttering. Confusion regarding specific terminology in the neurodiversity era provides us an opportunity to clarify some of the terminology that can be confusing for clinicians and caregivers alike. These discussions about terminology can enhance our understanding of the life experiences of those who...
Feb 26, 2025
The Neurodiversity Affirming Movement and its Implications for Stuttering
Whether it’s stuttering or autism, the neurodiversity affirming approach teaches us that it’s acceptable for people to communicate in a variety of ways. The neurodiversity affirming movement has many implications for stuttering that should be considered.
Feb 19, 2025
Remembering Our Dear Friend, Dr. Bob Quesal
Many of our readers recognize Bob as the co-author of the OASES and the Minimizing Bullying program. Bob’s contributions to the field are truly groundbreaking [see several links below]. Throughout his career, he championed the voices of people who stutter, from his earliest writings that reminded speech-language pathologists not to forget people who stutter, to his longstanding studies on the life experiences of people who...