What is stuttering?

Rodney Gabel, Ph.D.

Guitar (2006)

Stuttering is characterized by an abnormally high frequency of stoppages in fluency.

a) Part word repetitionsb) Sound prolongationsc) Blocks

People who stutter are usually aware of their stuttering and are often embarrassed by it and use a high amount of mental and physical effort to speak.

Children may not be aware- but may show signs of physical and mental effort.

Six Major Dimensions- Yairi and Seery (2011)

Overt characteristics Physical concomitants/secondary behaviors Muscular activity Affective features Cognitive processes Social Dynamics

Secondary Behaviors- A key piece of the complex disorder

People who stutter usually feel a loss of control when they stutter.

The person who stutters will develop a whole group of secondary behaviors to cope with the problem.

Also known as concomitant or reactive behaviors.

Escape Behaviors

Loss of eye contact. Jerking or abnormal movements of the head. Blinking of the eyes, wrinkling of the forehead,

distortions of the mouth and quivering of the nostrils. Abnormal variations in speaking rate, the loudness

and/or pitch of the voice. Flushing, pallor, or perspiration. Autonomic arousal. A feeling of tension.

Avoidance Behaviors

Behaviors that allow individuals to avoid the moment of stuttering.

Will be used as the person anticipates their difficulty.

Anticipates, then inserts a behavior to avoid stuttering.

Not talking, interjections, circumlocutions, and other types of behaviors.

Avoidance and Escape Behaviors

A learned part of the condition. Rewarding at first and a large part of the problem

later. Will often be a major part of therapy for individuals

who have a more chronic form of the disorder.

Emotions and Attitudes-Another piece of this complex disorder

Feelings are created by stuttering, the opposite is also true.

Can make the process of speaking much more difficult.

Emotional reactions will develop along with stuttering.

People will also develop negative communication attitudes.

Negative Emotions & Attitudes

Shame Fear Guilt Lower self-esteem Negative attitudes towards speaking Negative attitudes towards others

World Health Organization (2000)

A communication disorder occurs when a person’s communication performance frequently fails to accomplish necessary social functions or the manner in which the person communicates is viewed negatively by either the speaker or the audience.

CDIS- World Health Organization

Limitations in Body Functions- Impairment– Any loss or abnormality of psychological, physiological, or

anatomical structure or function. Activity Limitations- Disability

– Any restriction or lack of ability to perform an activity in the manner or within the range considered normal for a human being.

Participation Restriction- Handicap– A disadvantage for a given individual resulting from an

impairment or a disability, that limits or prevents the fulfillment of a role that is normal for that individual.

Anticipation and Adaptation

People who stutter are able to anticipate and/or predict when they will stutter.– Not only in individual words, but situations.– Often leads to avoidances.

People seem to adapt to their stuttering.– Less stuttering over subsequent passages. – Also may adapt in certain situations.

Situations That Reduce Stuttering/Increase Fluency

Acknowledging or not avoiding stuttering or trying to stutter.

Speaking in chorus. Playing a role. Suggestion/hypnosis.

Factors That Increase Stuttering/Decrease Fluency

Speaking on the phone

Saying his/her name. Speaking to an

authority figure. Speaking to a large

audience. Telling a joke.

Waiting to speak. Repeating a

message or asking for clarification.

Trying not to stutter or trying to hide it.

Experiencing emotional arousal.

Role of the Speech-Language Pathologist

Counselor Educator Mechanic