Books that Highlight Stuttering and Verbal Diversity™

As summer contines and summer reading recommendations appear, The Stuttering Clinic at National Therapy Center compiled a list of books that highlight stuttering and verbal diversity™. Verbal Diversity™ a phrase coined by the brilliant Nina Reeves, M.S., CCC-SLP, BCS-SCF at Stuttering Therapy Resources, highlights the importance of viewing stuttering as a difference vs. a disorder. There are many benefits supported by research to view stuttering in this inclusive way that reduces ableism and supports empowerment. Stories and books create meaningful learning opportunities in a variety of ways. Speech-Language Pathologists know that there can be so many ideas targeted using a single book, even just a single picture. Therefore, the books we expose our clients and children to are significant and important. Research has supported the benefits of diverse books, especially where people can find or “see themselves” in the story. For children who stutter, there are options to grow in their connection to their stuttering identity, embrace verbal diversity™, and see themselves as characters in a story that highlights their voice in a positive lens. For families of people who stutter, these stories highlight ways to talk about stuttering, shared experiences about stuttering, and can be a wonderful resource for ways to connect with a person who stutters. Many of these stories are written by authors who stutter who are able to connect, describe, and share about the experience first-hand.