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Dr. Rick Arenas, Associate Professor in the Department of Speech and Hearing Sciences at the University of New Mexico, joins Sara MacIntyre, M.A., CCC-SLP to discuss a recent research study conducted in collaboration with his student, Katlyn Ferguson, which looks at the experience of parents of children who stutter, and specifically their experiences in support group involvement. "The Experience of Being a Parent of a Child Who Stutters and Subsequent Involvement in Support Groups: A Narrative Study," uniquely seeks to add to our understanding of the caregiver experience of stuttering, and a growing need to better document the positive impact of being involved in support organizations/ community. Five parents were interviewed and asked to describe their experience as a parent of a CWS. Interviews were analyzed using a modified version of Carol Gilligan’s Listening Guide. Dr. Arenas shares the many common themes parents' reported, and above all else, the positive impact getting involved in support has had on their true understanding of the experience of stuttering.

Link to Full Text Article (via the UNM Thesis Repository)
Link to Friends: The National Association of Young People who Stutter
"A Father's Advice" By: Rick Arenas

Bio: Dr. Rick Arenas is an Associate Professor in the Department of Speech and Hearing Sciences at the University of New Mexico.  He received a bachelor's degree in Speech and Hearing Science, a master's degree in Speech Pathology and Audiology and a Ph.D. in Speech and Hearing Science all from the University of Iowa.  His primary research interest is in developmental stuttering.  He is interested in the anticipation of stuttering and the contextual variability of stuttering: Why is it that stuttering occurs consistently more frequently in particular contexts?  Recently his research has transitioned toward the way people relate to their stuttering and how it plays a role in their personal narrative.  Using qualitative methods, he is investigating how people who stutter change their thoughts and beliefs to live harmoniously with stuttering.  The overall goal is to translate research findings in to more effective treatments for stuttering in order to lessen the social and emotional impacts of the disorder.