Abstract

This study seeks to explore the perspectives of adults who stutter on stuttering management, quality of life, and how those experiences may influence their perspective on applying neurodiversity terminology to stuttering. This research examines how experiences of stuttering management might influence how individuals cope with the functional and emotional impacts of stuttering and view the intersections between stuttering and neurodiversity, providing insight to speech language pathologists, people who stutter seeking treatment, and caregivers making treatment decisions for children who stutter. This study recruited participants online via an electronic quantitative survey. Major findings of this study include that adults who stutter find describing stuttering as neurodiversity favorable, though they find using neurodiversity labels less favorable. In addition, a theme emerged of people who stutter feeling underprepared for the termination of speech services and significant differences in treatment experiences influenced by the client’s agency in participating in speech therapy. One practical implication of this study is the need for speech language pathologists to provide resources such as referrals to support groups to address the need for increased support.

Advisor

Furey, Joan

Department

Communication Sciences and Disorders

Disciplines

Communication Sciences and Disorders | Speech Pathology and Audiology

Keywords

Stuttering, Neurodiversity, End-of-Treatment Criteria, Stuttering Management Strategies

Publication Date

2026

Degree Granted

Bachelor of Arts

Document Type

Senior Independent Study Thesis

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© Copyright 2026 Natalie Barranco