What is it about?
Many speech-language pathologists feel unprepared to work with people who stutter because they receive limited hands-on training. This study explored how a structured clinical training program can address that gap. After participating in an intensive stuttering clinic, graduate students reported greater confidence, flexibility, and readiness for real-world practice. They also shifted from focusing only on speech fluency to understanding the emotional and personal experiences of people who stutter. These findings highlight the importance of hands-on training in preparing clinicians and improving care for people who stutter.
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Why is it important?
Many clinicians report feeling unprepared to work with people who stutter, which can lead to avoidance, limited access to care, and less effective support. This study is important because it shows that structured, hands-on training can directly address this gap. What makes this work unique is its focus on how clinical training shapes not only skills, but also perspectives. Students didn’t just learn techniques—they developed confidence, flexibility, and a more holistic, client-centered understanding of stuttering. By highlighting the value of immersive training, this study provides practical guidance for improving graduate education and ultimately strengthening the quality of care for people who stutter.
Perspectives
As a clinician and researcher, I’ve seen how many students feel unprepared, and even hesitant, to work with people who stutter. This study is especially meaningful to me because it reflects a shift I’ve witnessed firsthand: when students are given the right kind of support, their confidence and perspective can change quickly and deeply. What stands out to me is not just the growth in skills, but the shift toward empathy, flexibility, and truly client-centered care. This is the kind of change that stays with clinicians beyond training and shapes how they practice long-term. I hope this work encourages training programs to move beyond theory and create more meaningful, hands-on learning experiences that better prepare clinicians and ultimately improve care for people who stutter.
Kiana Tanghatar
Binghamton University
Read the Original
This page is a summary of: Shaping Clinicians, Shifting Perspectives: The Impact of Structured Stuttering Training, Perspectives of the ASHA Special Interest Groups, March 2026, American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA),
DOI: 10.1044/2026_persp-25-00139.
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