Contemporary clinical conversations about stuttering: Neurodiversity and ableism

Area of Science:

• Speech-language pathology
• Neurodiversity studies
• Disability studies

Background:

• The concepts of neurodiversity and ableism are increasingly relevant in clinical settings.
• Understanding these concepts is crucial for effective early childhood stuttering management.
• Disparate views exist regarding the application of neurodiversity and ableism in speech-language pathology.

Purpose of the Study:

• To explore the intersection of neurodiversity, ableism, and the clinical management of stuttering.
• To specifically examine these issues in the context of early childhood stuttering.
• To document diverse viewpoints on applying neurodiversity and ableism in clinical practice.

Main Methods:

• A written dialogue between leaders of a webinar discussing neurodiversity and ableism in early childhood stuttering.
• The dialogue focused on differing perspectives that emerged during the initial webinar.
• The aim was to formally record the ongoing conversation for academic and clinical interest.

Main Results:

• Discussants reached a consensus on several aspects of neurodiversity and ableism in stuttering management.
• Divergent viewpoints were noted regarding the practical application of these concepts for preschool children who stutter.
• The study highlights the complexity and nuanced nature of integrating neurodiversity and ableism into clinical decision-making.

Conclusions:

• Further dialogue and research are needed to reconcile differing perspectives on neurodiversity and ableism in stuttering intervention.
• Clinical practice guidelines may need to evolve to incorporate a more nuanced understanding of neurodiversity and ableism.
• Speech-language pathology students and practitioners should engage with these evolving concepts for informed practice.