Practical Thoughts Blog
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.
Nov 19, 2024
Caregivers want me to work on fluency. What do I say?
Many parents and caregivers contact speech therapists because they want their children to stop stuttering. This is understandable, and no one could blame them for having this desire. Unfortunately, this is not generally something that they can have, for we know that there is no cure for stuttering in school-age children, adolescents, and adults. This basic fact is one of the reasons that we so...
Sep 17, 2024
Stuttering as Verbal Diversity™: How Does this Change our Role as SLPs?
The field of speech-language pathology is changing. As we shift away from the medical model that sees stuttering as a pathology, we are on a journey toward becoming neurodiversity-affirming allies. Creating stutter-affirming environments requires a fundamental shift in how we perceive and interact with stuttering. These changes in perspective not only support individuals who stutter but also foster an inclusive atmosphere that embraces communication diversity....
Aug 05, 2024
"Mister Rogers' Speech"
Years ago, J. Scott Yaruss decided to study the speech patterns of the famous Mr. Rogers in order to discern if he did, indeed, speak "slower than other people." This blog looks into that study and the surprising results that can help SLPs and society. understand why "slow rate" is an entirely relative concept.
Jul 25, 2024
Shifting Perspectives About Stuttering
In the era of expanding our understanding of neurodiversity-affirming stuttering therapy, a first step is to make certain we, as speech-language pathologists (SLPs), are approaching assessment and therapy from the perspective of the person who stutters. Their experiences inform our therapy planning. There are reasons why our past professional practices were based upon the listener's observations of stuttering, and there are three major reasons why...
Dec 31, 2023
The "Deep Breath" Dilemma
This blog helps speech-language pathologists (SLPs) in their work with students who stutter. SLPs often feel confused about how to "un-train" deep breathing for students who have been instructed to take a deep breath before talking.
Nov 13, 2023
What is Verbal Diversity?™
The Emergence of Verbal Diversity™ Before we delve into the concept of "verbal diversity," it's essential to understand the background of stuttering in society. In brief, stuttering has historically been viewed as a flaw, a burden, or something that needed to be "fixed." People who stutter have been subjected to therapies aimed at eliminating their disfluencies. This type of therapy has frequently led to frustration, low...
Oct 06, 2023
Fluency Focus: A Perspective from a Person Who Stutters
Reuben Schuff shared his experiences with stuttering therapy and highlights key points for speech-language pathologists to consider: focus not on the expectation of fluency but on the development of thoughts, feelings, attitudes, and behaviors of a person who is an effective, efficient, and joyful communicator!
Aug 30, 2023
My Experience as an SLP Graduate Student who Stutters
Allison Ladavat shares more about her experiences as a student in our field, highlighting the necessity for SLPs to become better allies for people who stutter.
Aug 29, 2023
"Next Time, Try to Be More Fluent"
Speech-language pathologist Allison Ladavat shares her experiences as a person who stutters in graduate school. Learn critical lessons about how we, as SLPs, need to change our own attitudes about stuttering.
May 24, 2023
Challenging Eligibility Criteria for Stuttering Services in the Schools
As our understanding of the speaker’s experience of stuttering increases via research evidence, patient evidence, and clinical practice, eligibility criteria for receiving stuttering services in the schools must be analyzed and challenged.
Mar 28, 2023
What treatment approach should I use with a particular young child who stutters?
In several earlier blog posts, I have stressed the importance of individualized treatment for young children who stutter and their families. Now, it's time to take a look at what factors guide me toward one approach or another...
