72nd Annual SL Study Conference-A Stutter Affirming Approach

School-age children who stutter can face challenges, both in and out of the classroom. Common issues include negative emotional reactions, such as embarrassment and anxiety; difficulties reading aloud in class or participating in group discussions; and limitations while interacting with peers. Unfortunately, many speech-language pathologists report that they are not confident in their ability to help children deal with these consequences of stuttering. Clinicians report particular uncertainty about how to approach stuttering in this “neu” era of incorporating neurodiversity into speech-language pathology. The purpose of this workshop is to provide applicable, practical strategies for providing stutter-affirming therapy for school-age children and teens who stutter and their families. The presentation will address the role of the SLP in providing stutter-affirming therapy while exploring ways to help students overcome the burdens often associated with stuttering. Topics will include: guidelines for conducting comprehensive evaluations that support therapy recommendations and goal-writing, instructions for how to prepare students for successful therapy, and video examples of numerous therapy strategies and activities designed to help children speak more easily, reduce their negative reactions to stuttering, educate others about stuttering, and communicate effectively across speaking situations. Participants will come away from the workshop feeling more confident in their ability to help children and teens who stutter and more knowledgeable about how to provide stutter- affirming assessment and therapy in the school setting and beyond.