Exploring the needs and preferences of Saudi Arabian adolescents who stutter

During adolescence, individuals experience rapid physical, cognitive, and psychosocial changes. This transition may raise additional challenges for an adolescent who stutters. Although previous research has examined the experiences of adolescents who stutter, their preferences remain unstudied, particularly in non-Western countries. This qualitative study explored how Saudi Arabian adolescents who stutter perceive their stuttering and its management, and their preferences for support.

To gain preliminary insight into this unstudied area of research, eight participants, aged 13-17 years and 11 months, diagnosed with developmental stuttering by a qualified speech-language pathologist, and were Saudi Arabian citizens living in Saudi Arabia, were recruited through administrative staff at two clinics. Reflexive thematic analysis was used to identify themes and sub-themes.

Data revealed four main themes: Stuttering and my emotions; Stuttering and my environment; Therapy is a journey; and Listen to my voice. Although some participants reported feeling positive about their stuttering, all participants had experienced negative emotions due to stuttering. Furthermore, others' awareness and reactions to stuttering played a significant role in shaping participants' communication experiences. The results emphasised that stuttering therapy is a dynamic, individualized journey. Participants desired more than speech therapy; they also sought independence, privacy, and support from their social environment.

Results highlighted that Saudi Arabian adolescents who stutter want to be heard and supported by people in their environment. Key stakeholders, including speech-language pathologists, teachers, caregivers, adolescents, and professional bodies, could utilise this information to develop tailored evidence-based interventions and provide individualised support for adolescents who stutter.