Positive Parenting for Children Who Stutter: Connection, Regulation, and Autonomy Cultivation

Purpose: Stuttering can be challenging not only for children who stutter but also for their parents. Children may struggle with negative emotions such as frustration and shame, as well as unhelpful thoughts and behaviors.Parents alsoreported feeling worried, anxious, and unsure about the best ways to support their children. These negative experiences can strain the parent-child relationship, creating additional challenges for both. While parenting practices have the potential toaddress these issues, our understanding of this topic in the stuttering field is still limited and scattered. Method: This clinical focus article will explore the concept of positive parenting, highlighting its key components, and briefly discuss the rationale of incorporating these practices into stuttering therapy. It will then synthesizepositive parenting practices that are, or could be, integrated into a holistic approach to supporting children who stutter and their families. Conclusion: Speech-language pathologists can use positive parenting practices when counseling parents of children who stutter. By fostering a strong parent-child connection, using behavioral regulation techniques, and implementing strategies that support children's independence and autonomy, parents can help address challenges associated with stuttering and nurture resilience in their child.