Stammering and the Social Model of Disability: Challenge and Opportunity

The authors introduce, explain and recommend engagement with the social model of disability; a theory developed by disabled people through reflection on their own lived experience. Separating the impairment from the process of disability, the relevance of this model in relation to stammering and speech and language therapy is explored, along with current relevant writing in the disability field. The authors reflect on their personal journeys in relation to the social model, and identify approaches to stammering therapy that are consistent with this perspective. To conclude, the authors emphasize the importance and potential value for therapists of engaging with the current discourse among people who stammer in the wider stammering world, and leave the reader with some challenging questions for personal reflection.