An Exploratory Comparison of Attitudes toward Stuttering and Cluttering of Chinese Practicing Speech and Language Therapists and SLT Students

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Plain Language SummaryThis study aimed to compare attitudes toward stuttering and cluttering among speech and language therapists (SLTs) and speech and language therapy students in China and how they differ from those in other countries. It also seeks to explore factors that may influence these attitude differences. We utilized online versions of the Public Opinion Survey of Human Attributes-Stuttering (POSHA-S) and Public Opinion Survey of Human Attributes-Cluttering (POSHA-Cl) instruments to conduct surveys of 54 SLTs and 99 SLT students at 6 Chinese universities offering speech and language therapy programs. Chinese SLTs had more positive attitudes than did SLT students. For example, rejecting learning and emotional trauma as a cause of stuttering or cluttering (a positive response) was more likely in SLTs than in SLT students. Both groups expressed more positivity about their knowledge sources than the average ratings from international samples. Increased positive exposure opportunities with stuttering or cluttering will likely positively impact on attitudes toward stuttering and cluttering in China. It is crucial for speech and language professionals in China to recognize the widespread misinformation in various sources and actively combat misconceptions about stuttering and cluttering.