5525V - An International Perspective on Adults who Stutter’s Viewpoints on Treatment Philosophy and Stigma

This study aimed to explore what adults who stutter’s (AWS) perception is relative to treatment and its components, and whether they feel stigmatized. A survey was sent, internationally, to AWS asking nine multiple choice questions and three open-ended questions about the relevance of certain stuttering treatment components and stigma surrounding stuttering. Responses (213) were received from North and South America, Asia, Australia/Oceania and Europe. The majority of respondents found it very or extremely important that anxiety and negative thoughts surrounding stuttering are addressed in addition to introducing fluency enhancing strategies and practice in real-life situations. Individuals from North America and Europe judged (self)acceptance to be important. About half of the AWS feel stigmatized.