Psychosocial Speech Disability (Stuttering): Transforming Ourselves and Society

Published: 2021-06-14 - Updated: 2021-06-15
Author: Michael Sugarman, MSW | Contact: Disabled World (Disabled-World.com)
Peer-Reviewed Publication: N/A
Additional References: Disability Communication Publications

Synopsis: A psychosocial disability arises when people who stutter interact in a social environment that presents barriers to their equality with others.

Some people who stutter object to the use of the word disability to describe their experiences. I, personally, prefer the term psychosocial disability because people who stutter face barriers in their lives that others do not.

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Psychosocial disability is not a diagnosis. It refers to the functional impact and barriers with which we may cope as people living with a stutter. A psychosocial disability arises when people who stutter interact in a social environment that presents barriers to their equality with others.

Psychosocial Speech Disability (Stuttering) - Transforming Ourselves and Society (below) describes the phases people who stutter experience. Their journeys are not linear. They progress and regress and may go through a phase multiple times and/or simultaneously.

Psychosocial Speech Disability (Stuttering) Transforming Ourselves and Society

1 - Individual Experiences

Stutter Shame

Experiencing pain and lack of belonging resulting from societal norms and values.

Stutter Anxiety

Worrying about not speaking fluently.

Stutter Ableism/Fluency (SAF)

Defining, comparing, and denying competencies, abilities and skills; feeling fear, stigma and guilt pursuing employment, relationship, and academics.

2 - Paths to Transforming

The American Disabilities Act (ADA)

Prohibiting discrimination in employment, public accommodations and access to programs and services; requiring employers to provide reasonable accommodations.

Stutter Radical Acceptance

Accepting who you are and deciding to work towards effective communication.

Stutter Community

Experiencing a common bond with others.

Stutter Support

Creating safe spaces with therapists, families, peers, employment resource group and allies.

Stutter Clinical Tools

Empowering ability to communicate.

Stutter Self Care

Taking actions that support physical, self-compassion and emotional well-being.

Stutter Activism

Engaging and transforming political, social and cultural norms.

Stutter Awareness

Raising consciousness about bias.

3 - Transforming Self-Society

Stutter Inclusivity

Creating environments that are just; providing same rights and accessibility for all.

Stutter Identity & Affirmation

Accepting whole self, including stuttering, rather than feeling it's a personal tragedy; and, constructing a positive identity both personal and collective.

Resources:

1. https://reimagine. Today//what-is-psycho-social disability
2. Cambridge Dictionary Ableism
3. Google Dictionary Inclusivity
4. Dunn, Dana PH.D. & Shane Bucaw "Thinking about Disability Identity" Disability Newsletter American Psychological Association Nov. 2013
5. Models of Disability: Types and Definitions: Published: 2010-09-10 - Author: Disabled World - Contact: www.disabled-world.com - Affirmation of disability; Disability Identity Politics and Activism; and Empowering Model of Disability.

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