stylized diagram image of the human brain

International Interdisciplinary Consensus Guidelines on Stuttering

STARS is proud to introduce our evidence-based clinical guidelines, developed to address unmet needs in the diagnosis and treatment of stuttering: the product of a 35-member international panel of physicians of multiple specialties, speech-language pathologists, researchers, and people who stutter.

Read the Guidelines

The first consensus of its kind:
stuttering redefined as brain-based.

A 35-member international panel, spanning psychiatry, neurosurgery, speech-language pathology, and people who stutter themselves, have reached near-unanimous agreement: stuttering is a heterogeneous, biological, brain-based disorder that belongs alongside the conditions treated by psychiatrists every day.

The panel’s work also surfaced a clinical alert the medical community hasn’t widely recognized: common dopamine-boosting medications for ADHD and depression may worsen stuttering symptoms in some patients.

35
Panel Experts
94%
Agreement:
Brain-Based
80M
People Who Stutter
Worldwide

How we got here

Every recommendation in these guidelines was shaped over months of interdisciplinary collaboration.

  1. January 2026 • Pre-Meeting Survey Identifying the Gaps

    STARS surveyed clinicians and researchers on the current state of stuttering research and care. The results were telling: a majority indicated that stuttering remains significantly under-researched relative to its prevalence and impact, underscoring the need for a coordinated, interdisciplinary effort.

    A Call to Action.
  2. Feb 25-Mar 1, 2026 • ALBUFEIRA, PORTUGAL Inaugural Interdisciplinary Consceous Guidelines Meeting

    Physicians, speech-language pathologists, researchers, and people who stutter gathered at Pine Cliff’s Resort for several days of breakout sessions, identifying gaps in care and outlining the first draft of actionable recommendations.

    Foundation Laid.
  3. April 2026 • ST. LOUIS UNIVERSITY SCHOOL OF MEDICINE Semi-Annual Meeting & Education Conference

    Co-sponsored with Saint Louis University School of Medicine, this gathering brought together physicians, neurologists, Speech Language Pathologists, neuroscience based researchers and persons who stutter, to review progress on the guidelines and refine them ahead of publication.

    Guidelines Refined.
  4. August 2026 • PSYCHIATRIC TIMES COVER STORY The Consensus Guidelines Are Published

    “Interdisciplinary Consensus Guidelines on Stuttering” leads the August 2026 Neuropsychiatry section of Psychiatric Times, authored by Gerald A. Maguire, MD and the STARS advisory panel, now free and accessible to heath care professionals, individual who stutter and families everywhere.

    Live Today.

Practical considerations for clinical implementation

The panel translated its consensus into concrete guidance clinicians can act on today, organized around diagnosis, treatment, and everyday practice.

Diagnostic Considerations

Review family history for stuttering and autoimmune conditions and screen for comorbidities like ADHD, OCD, and social anxiety.

Treatment Considerations

Individualize care and involve multiple specialists including physicians and speech-language pathologists early. Weigh medications carefully: some common psychiatric agents may worsen symptom.

Everyday Practice

Train medical and office staff, offer secure electronic communication options, and let a person who stutters finish their own thoughts.

Where Research is Headed

Biomarkers, genetics, and targeted pharmacologic and neuromodulatory treatments top the panel’s priorities for what’s next.

Seven consensus statements from the panel

Stuttering is the heterogeneous, biological, brain-based disorder that deserves recognition across medicine.

Diagnosing childhood-onset fluency disorder takes a comprehensive approach, with physicians being central to the process.

Today’s treatments and the tools to measure them fall short. Early intervention still matters most.

Interdisciplinary care that spans family medicine, psychiatry, neurology, and speech-language pathology should be the standard.

Stuttering touches every part of life, so assessment has to look well beyond fluency alone.

Physicians and allied health professionals need more formal education on stuttering than they receive today.

More research is essential, especially on biomarkers, genetics, subtyping, and approaches to precision-guided treatment.

Made for healthcare professionals, individuals who stutter, and their families

CLINICAL USE Healthcare Professionals
A standardized reference to bring into diagnosis, treatment planning and referrals.
EVERYDAY LIFE Individuals Who Stutter
Plain-language summaries of the science behind the recommendations that shape your care.
AT HOME FAMILIES
Guidance to help you recognize, support and advocate for a child who stutters.

FEATURED IN PSYCHIATRIC TIMES, AUGUST 2026

Read the guidelines shaping care for 80 million people worldwide.

Free to access for healthcare professionals, individuals who stutter, and their families.

Read the Guidelines