The Myths and Facts of Stuttering

By Austin Thompson

Overarching Goal

The goal of educating clients about the myths & facts of stuttering is to improve understanding of stuttering within the client and their support network, dispelling myths and misconceptions while fostering acceptance and confidence.

Description

To educate about the myths and facts about stuttering, you can use structured activities, such as a Jeopardy game, to challenge common misconceptions about stuttering. Participants are presented with accurate information about stuttering and are encouraged to engage in discussions to deepen their understanding and correct any misunderstandings.

This type of activity is appropriate for school-age clients and older. However, adolescents and adults are more likely to have encountered societal myths and misconceptions about stuttering, making them receptive to educational interventions aimed at dispelling these falsehoods. This can also be a great activity to complete with parents of school-age and adolescent clients to help increase the caregiver’s understanding of stuttering.

• Pre-requisite Skills: Before engaging in this activity, clients should have a basic understanding of their own stuttering patterns and be willing to explore and challenge their beliefs about stuttering. However, this educational activity can be completed in the early stages of therapy.
• Hierarchy: After completing this activity, a potential next step would be to have the client educate others (i.e., parents, caregivers, significant others, clinician) about some of the myths and facts about stuttering.
• Considerations: It's essential to create a safe and supportive environment for participants to express their thoughts and feelings about stuttering without fear of judgment. Additionally, facilitators should be prepared to address any emotional reactions or resistance that may arise during the activity.

Example Activity: Jeopardy!

Evidence

Educating clients (and others) about the myths and facts of stuttering is an important step in the therapeutic process and is consistent with the education aim outlined in the 3Es of the Stuttering model (Gore & Margulis, 2022). Further, educating others about the myths and facts of stuttering can help reduce the stigma surrounding stuttering (Boyle et al., 2017).

Materials Needed