Data on disfluencies in the speech of non-stuttering adults are relevant to several aspects of the assessment and treatment of adults who stutter. Currently, very few sources provide relevant data. In the existing literature on normally fluent speakers, there is no consistency in sample length or topic or in which types of disfluency are counted.…

Stuttering has the potential of being an educationally, socially, and vocationally handicapping condition. This article provides information to allow teachers to recognize stutterers and to provide an appropriate classroom environment. (MT)

When eight psychiatric adults with stuttering problems were evaluated on seven speech tasks, 12 percent of their total subject output was nonfluencies. Results are analyzed in terms of: tasks most frequently involving nonfluencies; types of nonfluencies; and relative frequency of nonfluencies occurring on words in the beginning, middle, or end of…

Speech-related reaction time measures and fluency-related measures of 24 adult stutterers and a like number of nonstutterers were assessed to determine their diagnostic discriminative power. Findings suggested that both fluency failures and the duration of laryngeal adjustment time are useful diagnostic measures for discriminating stutterers from…

In this study, 102 adult stutterers were assessed on state and trait anxiety before, and on trait anxiety after, intensive behavioral treatment. Results showed that persons who stutter have significantly higher levels of fear (trait anxiety) in a demanding speech situation and also higher levels of chronic anxiety (trait anxiety) than matched…

An annotated bibliography cites 33 instruments for stuttering appraisal. All tools are readily available and in frequent use. Each citation includes the author's name, title of instrument, where it may be obtained, and approximate price. A descriptive summary of each instrument is given along with suggested uses. (CB)

The "fluency rules" therapy program for young children who stutter consists of seven rules designed to teach children about the physiologic concepts associated with fluent speech production. Pilot testing with nine children (three- to seven-years-old) demonstrated its effectiveness in producing fluent speech and maintaining fluency for a…

This article provides classroom teachers with background on the problem of stuttering and with suggestions for making the stuttering child comfortable in the classroom. (SJL)

Studies examining language onset and disorders of articulation, syntax, morphology, semantics, and word finding are analyzed. Although evidence is not convincing that stutterers as a group are more likely than nonstutterers to have deficits in these areas, it is clear that some stutterers do have concomitant speech and language problems.…

Four stutterers, aged 3-5, received treatment based on parent-administered, operant verbal stimulation. Data show that the intervention, coupled with a programed maintenance schedule, reduced stuttering and accompanied increases in syllable output. Findings suggest that cases of early stuttering might be managed effectively by parents, with…

Speech language pathologists providing early intervention services for stuttering are urged to evaluate conceptual and practical aspects of various intervention procedures. After a review of three treatment methods (environment manipulation, prolonged speech, and response-contingent stimulation), the article concludes that response-contingent…

Stuttered sentences pronounced by 12 4- to 6-year-old children in spontaneous conversation were analyzed for length and grammatical complexity. Results indicated that sentences in which stuttering occurred within the first three words were significantly longer and more complex than sentences where no fluency failure was found. Implications for…

This article, directed to the classroom teacher, provides background information on stuttering and suggests ways that the teacher can alleviate the stuttering child's anxiety and restore his confidence in his ability to communicate effectively. (Author/SJL)

This paper introduces a special issue focusing on the treatment of preschool and school-age children who stutter and discussing current intervention strategies and procedures. Summaries of the issue's articles are presented, generally contending that fluency disorders can be effectively managed using age-appropriate, individualized techniques and…

Eighty-four female nonstutterers examined videotapes of two mild and two severe male stutterers acknowledging and not acknowledging their stuttering. Nonstutterers preferred to interact with acknowledging stutterers and gave them more favorable ratings on intelligence, personality, and appearance. (Author/JDD)