Potential Obstacles to Achieve Successful Outcomes Following Stuttering Interventions: Potential Obstacles for Stuttering Interventions

Alia Hassan; Syed Tariq Shah; Ghulam Saqulain

doi:10.54393/pjhs.v6i1.1899

Authors

Alia Hassan House of Learning, Chakwal, Pakistan
Syed Tariq Shah Department of Rehabilitation Sciences, Riphah International University, Islamabad, Pakistan
Ghulam Saqulain Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Capital Hospital, Post Graduate Medical Institute, Islamabad, Pakistan https://orcid.org/0000-0002-6452-9339

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.54393/pjhs.v6i1.1899

Keywords:

Barriers, Intervention, Speech Therapist, Stuttering

Abstract

Stuttering is a common speech problem affecting all age groups. Speech-language pathologists face barriers in attaining favourable therapeutic results. Identification of these barriers could help attain therapy results. Objectives: To identify the perceived barriers that speech-language pathologists encounter in achieving successful outcomes following stuttering interventions. Methods: The current qualitative study was conducted at Riphah International University from September 2023 to February 2024. A sample of n=10 speech-language pathologists was taken from Rawalpindi and Islamabad using purposive sampling. The sample included qualified speech-language pathologists of both genders, any age, practicing for at least 05 years with clients having fluency disorder. The study involved semi-structured interviews with the option of face-to-face and online interviews using an interview guide. Information obtained was transcribed followed by thematic analysis. Results: The study revealed six major themes including collaborative approaches in intervention and the role of various professionals, Patient engagement and empowerment for successful intervention outcomes, empowering families for effective communication and support in successful intervention, strengthening speech-language pathologists' practices, therapeutic accessibility and holistic approach to stuttering intervention. The findings demonstrated that speech-language pathologists understanding of stuttering especially their unique roles within it, is somewhat restricted due to barriers including i). Diverse perspective held by the speech-language pathologists, ii) Clinical challenges, iii) Systematic and environmental factors and iv) lack of collaboration and support. Conclusions: It was concluded that speech-language pathologists perceive the following main barriers i) Diverse perspectives held by the speech-language pathologists, Clinical challenges, Systematic and environmental factors and lack of collaboration and support.

References

Tichenor SE and Yaruss JS. Stuttering as Defined by Adults Who Stutter. Journal of Speech, Language, and Hearing Research. 2019 Dec; 62(12): 4356-69. doi: 10.1044/2019_JSLHR-19-00137.

Perez HR and Stoeckle JH. Stuttering: Clinical and Research Update. Canadian Family Physician. 2016 Jun; 62(6): 479-84.

Vugs B, Hendriks M, Cuperus J, Knoors H, Verhoeven L. Developmental Associations Between Working Memory and Language in Children with Specific Language Impairment: A Longitudinal Study. Journal of Speech, Language, and Hearing Research. 2017 Nov; 60(11): 3284-94. doi: 10.1044/2017_JSLHR-L-17-0042.

SheikhBahaei S, Millwater M, Maguire GA. Stuttering as a Spectrum Disorder: A Hypothesis. Current Research in Neurobiology. 2023 Nov; 5: 100116. doi: 10.1016/j.crneur.2023.100116.

Sander RW and Osborne CA. Stuttering: Understanding and Treating a Common Disability. American Family Physician. 2019 Nov; 100(9): 556-60.

Penttilä N, Korpijaakko-Huuhka AM, Kent RD. Disfluency Clusters in Speakers with and Without Neurogenic Stuttering Following Traumatic Brain Injury. Journal of Fluency Disorders. 2019 Mar; 59: 33-51. doi: 10.1016/j.jfludis.2019.01.001.

Erickson S, Bridgman K, Furlong L, Stark H. Speech-Language Pathologist Perspectives of the Implementation of Telepractice-Delivered Stuttering Treatment for School-Age Children. Language, Speech, and Hearing Services in Schools. 2022 Jan; 53(1): 30-43. doi: 10.1044/2021_LSHSS-20-00167.

Bosshardt HG, Packman A, Blomgren M, Kretschmann J. Measuring Stuttering in Preschool-Aged Children Across Different Languages: An International Study. Folia Phoniatrica et Logopaedica. 2016 Feb; 67(5): 221-30. doi: 10.1159/000440720.

Iimura D, Yada Y, Imaizumi K, Takeuchi T, Miyawaki M, Van Borsel J. Public Awareness and Knowledge of Stuttering in Japan. Journal of Communication Disorders. 2018 Mar; 72: 136-45. doi: 10.1016/j.jcomdis.2018.02.002.

Polikowsky HG, Shaw DM, Petty LE, Chen HH, Pruett DG, Linklater JP et al. Population-Based Genetic Effects for Developmental Stuttering. Human Genetics and Genomics Advances. 2022 Jan; 3(1). doi: 10.1016/j.xhgg.2021.100073.

Khatoon M, Mumtaz N, Saqulain G. Prevalence of Stammering Among Internally Displaced Population in North Waziristan Agency. Eastern Mediterranean Health Journal. 2020; 26(8): 982-986. doi: 10.26719/emhj.20.011.

Butt GA, Maqbool S, Mahmood A, Azhar A, Idrees H, Iftikhar S. Frequency of Stuttering and Its Common Symptoms among Children with Speech Disorders: JRCRS-2016; 4 (1): 18-21. Journal Riphah College of Rehabilitation Sciences. 2016 Mar; 4(1): 18-21.

Byrd CT, Werle D, St. Louis KO. Speech-Language Pathologists' Comfort Level with Use of Term “Stuttering” During Evaluations. American Journal of Speech-Language Pathology. 2020 May; 29(2): 841-50. doi: 10.1044/2020_AJSLP-19-00081.

Brignell A, Krahe M, Downes M, Kefalianos E, Reilly S, Morgan AT. A Systematic Review of Interventions for Adults Who Stutter. Journal of Fluency Disorders. 2020 Jun; 64: 105766. doi: 10.1016/j.jfludis.2020.105766.

Baxter S, Johnson M, Blank L, Cantrell A, Brumfitt S, Enderby P et al. Non-Pharmacological Treatments for Stuttering in Children and Adults: A Systematic Review and Evaluation of Clinical Effectiveness, and Exploration of Barriers to Successful Outcomes. Health Technology Assessment. 2016 Jan; 20(2): 1-302. doi: 10.3310/hta20020.

Clarke V and Braun V. Teaching Thematic Analysis: Overcoming Challenges and Developing Strategies for Effective Learning. The Psychologist. 2013 Sep; 26(2): 120-3.

Louis KO, Węsierska K, Przepiórka A, Błachnio A, Beucher C, Abdalla F et al. Success in Changing Stuttering Attitudes: A Retrospective Analysis of 29 Intervention Studies. Journal of Communication Disorders. 2020 Mar; 84: 105972. doi: 10.1016/j.jcomdis.2019.105972.

Iqbal F, Kasa MD, Don Y. Speech Therapy and Self-awareness About Stuttering for Adults Who Are Stutters in Pakistan. Indonesian Journal of Cultural and Community Development. 2020 Mar; 5: 10-21070. doi: 10.21070/ijccd2020257.

Suranto S, Erlina IA, Yuspik Y, Sari YM. Empowerment of Communication Parents and Educators to Success Program Play Groups. Journal on Education. 2023 Mar; 5(4): 13622-33. doi: 10.31004/joe.v5i4.2373.

L. Edwards B, Jackson ES, Kefalianos E, Sheedy S, Onslow M. Contemporary Clinical Conversations About Stuttering: Can Intervention Stop Early Stuttering Development? International Journal of Speech-Language Pathology. 2024 Aug: 1-8. doi: 10.1080/17549507.2024.2371870.

Chen YA and Miyamoto S. Attitude of Speech-Language Pathology Students and Specialists Toward People Who Stutter: Inter-and Intraregional Comparisons. Perspectives of the ASHA Special Interest Groups. 2024 Jun; 9(3): 542-61. doi: 10.1044/2024_PERSP-23-00185.

Brisk DJ, Healey EC, Hux KA. Clinicians’ Training and Confidence Associated with Treating School-Age Children Who Stutter: A National Survey. Language, Speech, and Hearing Services in Schools. 1997 Apr; 28(2): 164-76. doi: 10.1044/0161-1461.2802.164.

Gerlach H, Hollister J, Caggiano L, Zebrowski PM. The Utility of Stuttering Support Organization Conventions for Young People Who Stutter. Journal of Fluency Disorders. 2019 Dec; 62: 105724. doi: 10.1016/j.jfludis.2019.105724.