Self-Help Support Groups for Stuttering (Ep. 446)

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Michael P. Boyle, Ph.D., CCC-SLP joins Peter Reitzes to discuss self-help support groups for stuttering. Dr. Boyle is asked about his recent study Psychological characteristics and perceptions of stuttering of adults who stutter with and without support group experience in the Journal of Fluency Disorders. This StutterTalk episode or course will be available for 0.10 CEUs for approximately six months, free of charge, through the National Stuttering Association. For complete details regarding the continuing education units being offered by the National Stuttering Association, go to the National Stuttering Association’s CEU page.

Take the CEU Test Here. (expired September 25, 2014)

Show/Course Notes: Title: Self-Help Support Groups for Stuttering Learner Outcomes: At the conclusion of the program, the learner shall be able to:

1. Describe the functions and purposes of self-help support groups for stuttering.
2. Summarize findings from research studies regarding benefits of support group participation for people who stutter.
3. Discuss options for future research studies designed to understand the roles of support groups for people who stutter

Presenter Bio — Michael Boyle, Ph.D., CCC-SLP  is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Communication Sciences and Disorders at Oklahoma State University where he teaches graduate courses in fluency disorders and research methods. His research focuses on identifying factors that predict both resilience and coping and adjustment difficulties related to stuttering. Particular psychosocial variables of interest include stigma, bullying, and attribution. Dr. Boyle is also very interested in the development of interventions that address stigma reduction and improved well-being in individuals who stutter.  Episode/Course Description: This presentation will have several objectives including 1) to familiarize the listener with the current literature related to psychosocial challenges faced by PWS 2) to present the concept of self-help support groups for stuttering and how this differs from group therapy 3) to discuss the potential benefits of support group participation for people who stutter and perceptions of support groups from people who stutter, and 4) to discuss psychological differences between people who stutter with and without support group experience, and 5) to identify future areas of research to further our understanding of the role of self-help support groups for stuttering. The goal for the presentation is for speech-language pathologists to gain an understanding of the psychosocial challenges faced by people who stutter and what participation in self-help support group activities could potentially do in facilitating adaptive coping with chronic stuttering. In addition, professionals will learn what future research needs to be done to maximize the benefits produced by attending support groups for stuttering. Finally, SLPs will learn about valuable resources for self-help support options in the area of stuttering and how to determine when participation may be beneficial for particular clients who stutter. References:

• Bleek, B., Reuter, M., Yaruss, J. S., Cook, S., Faber, J., & Montag, C. (2012). Relationships between personality characteristics of people who stutter and the impact of stuttering on everyday life. Journal of Fluency Disorders, 37, 325–333.
• Boyle, M. P. (2013). Psychological characteristics and perceptions of stuttering of adults who stutter with and without support group experience. Journal of Fluency Disorders, 38, 368-381.
• Craig, A., Blumgart, E., & Tran, Y. (2011). Resilience and stuttering: factors that protect people from the adversity of chronic stuttering. Journal of Speech, Language, and Hearing Research, 54, 1485–1496.
• McClure, J. A., D’Amico, R., & Tetnowski, J. (2009). The experience of people who stutter: A survey by the National Stuttering Association. Available from: http://www.westutter.org/what-is-stuttering/the-experience-of-people-who-stutter/
• McClure, J. A., & Yaruss, J. S. (2003). Stuttering survey suggests success of attitude-changing treatment. The ASHA Leader, May 13. Ramig, P. (1993). The impact self-help groups on persons who stutter: A call for research. Journal of Fluency Disorders, 18, 351–361.
• Reeves, L. (2006). The role of self-help/mutual aid in addressing the needs of individuals who stutter. In N. Bernstein Ratner, & J. Tetnowski (Eds.), Current issues in stuttering research and practice (pp. 255–278). Mahwah, NJ: Lawrence Erlbaum Associates Publishers.
• Reeves, L. (2007). Are self-help/mutual aid groups and professional intervention mutually exclusive concepts for helping those affected by stuttering? Perspectives on Fluency and Fluency Disorders, 17, 4–8.
• Trichon, M. (2007). Getting the maximum benefits from support groups: Perspectives of members and group leaders. Perspectives on Fluency and Fluency Disorders, 17, 10–13.
• Trichon, M., & Tetnowski, J. (2011). Self-help conferences for people who stutter: A qualitative investigation. Journal of Fluency Disorders, 36, 290–295. Yaruss, J. S., Quesal, R. W., & Murphy, B. (2002). National Stuttering Association members’ opinions about stuttering treatment. Journal of Fluency Disorders, 27, 227–242.
• Yaruss, J. S., Quesal, R. W., & Reeves, P. L. (2007). Self-help and mutual aid groups as an adjunct to stuttering therapy. In E. G. Conture, & R. F. Curlee (Eds.), Stuttering and related disorders of fluency (3rd ed., pp. 256–276). New York: Thieme Medical Publishers.
• Yaruss, J. S., Quesal, R. W., Reeves, L., Molt, L. F., Kluetz, B., Caruso, A. J., et al. (2002). Speech treatment and support group experiences of people who participate in the National Stuttering Association. Journal of Fluency Disorders, 27, 115–134.