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In addition to treatment provided by speech-language pathologists, some people who stutter have found assistance for dealing with their stuttering through stuttering self-help and support groups. In general, stuttering support groups are not therapy groups. Instead, they are self-organized groups of individuals who are facing similar problems. These individuals work together to help themselves cope with the everyday difficulties of stuttering.
Many such groups exist around the world. In the United States, stuttering support groups have a longstanding and strong tradition of helping people overcome the burden of stuttering. Support groups often have local chapters that consist of anywhere from a few to a few dozen members who meet regularly (e.g., weekly or monthly) to discuss issues of relevance to their stuttering. Some groups also have internet listservs and chat rooms, newsletters and books, and annual conferences that bring together hundreds of people who stutter and their families.
Many support group members report that their experiences in the support group enhance their ability to use techniques learned in therapy. Others report that the support group meets needs that their formal speech therapy did not meet. Thus, many people benefit from participating in treatment provided by a speech-language pathologist and a stuttering support group. Indeed, most support groups have developed strong partnerships with the speech-language pathology community to promote and expand treatment options for people who stutter. For a list of stuttering support groups in the United States and around the world, see the "Related Links".
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