SIG 4 Perspectives Vol. 25, No. 2, October 2015

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Graduate Student Experiences Using Easy Onsets

This qualitative study explored reports from 18 graduate students related to their experiences using easy onsets in three speaking situations for a total of 54 speaking situations recorded across all participants. Thematic analysis revealed three major themes and seven minor themes. Major Theme 1 was related to the influence that the listener and situation had on self-perceptions. The 3 minor themes that contributed to this major theme were: anxiety related to listener reactions, the telephone being an easier speaking situation, and nature of the situation having an influence. Major Theme 2 was related to the uncomfortable nature of using the skills with 2 minor themes contributing and consisting of: mental effort and energy to use the skill, and the feeling of unnatural sounding and difficulty in using the skill. Major Theme 3, the final major theme found, related to previous success and comfort using the skill. Two minor themes contributed to this same major theme and included: previous experience using the skill had an impact on self-perceptions and more comfort using the skill over multiple attempts.

A Research-Based Clinical Tutorial in Adolescent Stuttering: Response to Coleman, Miller, and Weidner (2015)

Coleman, Miller, and Weidner's (2015) recent clinical vignette and tutorial described one very common, broad-based, and theory-driven approach to treating stuttering in a 14-year-old boy. This response suggests that methods based on prolonged speech are better supported in our research literature; are effective, efficient, and well-received by clients; and allow clinicians using the principles of evidence-based practice to address and solve the concerns that clients have raised.

Qualitative Case Study Research Design

Qualitative case study research can be a valuable tool for answering complex, real-world questions. This method is often misunderstood or neglected due to a lack of understanding by researchers and reviewers. This tutorial defines the characteristics of qualitative case study research and its application to a broader understanding of stuttering that cannot be defined through other methodologies. This article will describe ways that data can be collected and analyzed.

A Clinical Tutorial in Stuttering: Case Vignette

This clinical paper focuses on a case vignette for a teenager who stutters to highlight comprehensive assessment and treatment of stuttering. The case emphases the need for assessment and treatment approaches that focus on the multi-dimensional nature of stuttering. Case vignettes may be one way to help clinicians gain a better understanding of stuttering assessment and treatment.

A Questionnaire for Parents of Children Who Stutter Attending a Self-Help Convention

Purpose To examine the attitudes and feelings of parents of children who stutter attending an annual convention for children who stutter. Method A survey consisting of demographic information, 30 questions regarding parents' feelings and attitudes using a 5-point Likert scale, and 3 open-ended questions was created by the authors and completed by 45 parents of children who stutter attending a convention for children who stutter. Results Parents attending the support group convention were comfortable with and knowledgeable about stuttering. Parents reported that they attended the convention to support their children and themselves and to gain information regarding stuttering. Parents were most concerned that stuttering would impact their children's future and hoped that their children would become happy, confident, and effective communicators. New attendees were less comfortable answering a question regarding the cause of stuttering than were returning parents, and fathers were less likely than mothers to work on therapy homework with their child. Conclusions This is the first study of parents who attend stuttering support groups. The results indicated these parents were comfortable and knowledgeable about stuttering. More research regarding feelings and attitudes of parents of children who stutter, and the impact of support groups on parents, is needed.