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Letter to the Editor: Clarifying neurodiversity-affirming frameworks in stuttering
Yan Ma1, Ran An2, Seth E Tichenor3
1Department of Communication Sciences and Disorders, Purdue University Fort Wayne, Fort Wayne, IN, USA.
Journal of Fluency Disorders
|August 8, 2026
Summary
Neurodiversity-affirming frameworks in stuttering do not reject speech goals but question fluency as the sole success marker. They prioritize participation, agency, and wellbeing, distinguishing client-led change from forced normalization.
Area of Science:
- Speech-Language Pathology
- Neurodiversity Studies
- Disability Studies
Background:
- Recent position papers have characterized neurodiversity-affirming and anti-ableist frameworks in stuttering.
- These characterizations warrant a response to clarify the scope and implications of these frameworks.
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