"Everyone Has a Plan 'til You Get Punched in the Mouth": Discussing the Topic of Dating in Stuttering Therapy

Abstract

Purpose: Speech-language pathologists typically focus more on social communication as it applies to academics, vocation, and specific social life situations and less on romantic aspects of the lives of people who stutter (PWS). However, when working with PWS, addressing intimate social communication interactions is important due to the possible severe impact of negative social behaviors, particularly avoidance behaviors, on the client's quality of life. This article highlights dating as a critical aspect of the personal and social lives of PWS.

Method: An overview of the literature on dating is provided to establish a knowledge base that will support practitioners in facilitating communication for adults who stutter in intimate social communication interactions such as dating to form romantic relationships. This will also serve as a foundation for practitioners to explore their role in approaching conversations surrounding the interplay of dating in the lives of PWS on their caseloads.

Conclusions: As a profession focused on facilitating and supporting successful communication, this article intends to dispel notions that the intimate social communicative lives of PWS are not a matter to be addressed by our expertise. This article aims to highlight the importance of providing support by exploring the role of stuttering in the context of dating. Furthermore, the authors encourage conversations within the profession to increase attention paid to this underrepresented area as a valuable treatment avenue.