How Iranian Speech-Language Pathologists Represent Stuttering on Instagram: A Mixed-Methods Study

Purpose: This study examined how Iranian speech-language pathologists (SLPs) represented stuttering on Instagram, with specific attention to message content, framing, and alignment with evidence-based practice (EBP). Method: A structured hashtag search on a non–logged-in device identified 507 posts from public Instagram accounts of self-identified Iranian SLPs over 6 months; after removing duplicates and irrelevant content, 315 stuttering-focused posts remained. Quantitative analyses included content-type coding, a four-dimension EBP alignment score, and a framing index from medicalized to neurodiversity affirming. Thematic analysis was done for message contents. Results: Therapy-focused posts dominated (47%), followed by parental guidance (25%) and educational explanations (13%). Framing scores reflected a strongly medicalized narrative, with few acceptance-oriented messages. EBP alignment scores showed moderate alignment ( M = 6.79, SD = 2.26): 17% high, 68% midrange, and 15% low. High-scoring posts provided accurate neurodevelopmental explanations and communication-focused goals, whereas low-scoring posts featured oversimplified causation, corrective suggestions, or promotional claims. Thematic analysis identified five main themes. Conclusions: Iranian SLPs' Instagram communication reflected a culturally specific, clinician-centered, and predominantly medicalized portrayal of stuttering. Although many posts aligned with contemporary evidence, notable inconsistencies and oversimplifications persist. These findings highlight the need for culturally grounded, evidence-aligned digital communication strategies that balance clinical guidance with stigma-reducing and acceptance-oriented messaging. Supplemental Material: https://doi.org/10.23641/asha.32617302