Building a Bridge Among Unspoken Words: The Use of Drawing According to the IARA Model to Trigger Communication in Children and Adolescents Who Stutter

Stuttering is a speech disorder characterized by difficulties in maintaining fluent speech. Individuals who stutter often have negative attitudes towards their own communication abilities, which may be influenced by high expectations placed on them by their parents. When the demands for fluent speech exceed their capabilities, stuttering episodes can occur, leading to further frustration and avoidance behaviors. Consequently, people who stutter often avoid discussing their experiences and feelings related to stuttering. Stimulating communication is essential during speech therapy, but encouraging communication is far from simple. In an attempt to facilitate communication and foster a more effective relationship between persons who stutter and their parents, we implemented the so-called awareness drawing according to the IARA model. Fourteen children (M=10; F=4; mean age=10.42; SD=1.65) and eight adolescents (M=6; F=2; mean age = 15.25; SD=1.03) diagnosed with stuttering were involved in the study along with their relatives (28 parents; M=10; F=18; mean age=31.14; SD=4.66 years). Results revealed that the awareness drawings can offer valuable insights into experiences and perceptions of stuttering both in children and adolescents and their parents. In particular, the former expressed a desire for acceptance and a wish to be recognized beyond their stuttering, depicting solutions that encompass the involvement of both parents and speech therapists. Therefore, the awareness drawing during the stuttering assessment session, could provide a valuable insight into the emotions, thoughts of person who stutter, as well as the experiences of their parents. This, in turn, can enhance the design of therapeutic intervention.