Case Studies in Communication Sciences and Disorders, Second Edition

Stuttering 65

Transactional Analy sis provides a means of exploring her thoughts and feelings about stuttering.
It also provides a way of understanding communication with others that has benefited her in
developing and maintaining intimate and business relationships. Clarene sometimes believes that
having a stutter has been a blessing in disguise.

Stuttering is a f luency disorder in which an individual repeats, prolongs, and blocks while
speaking. There also may be ancillary (secondary) features, such as eye squints, hand slaps, and
head jerks. Many persons who stutter report anxiety and associated negative emotions before,
during, and after the moment of stuttering. There are many theories about stuttering, but none
of them is generally accepted as the sole cause of this communication disorder. In most cases,
stuttering is more easily prevented than cured. To reduce or eliminate stuttering, its audible and
vis i ble manifestations, as well as the anxiety and associated negative emotions, must be treated,
in addition to addressing the effects of the disorder on the client’s self- concept and speech- related
self- esteem.

1. Discuss Van Riper’s definition of stuttering. How might you expand it to include more aspects
   of stuttering?


2. Discuss the impor tant issues in the nature– nurture controversy about stuttering.


3. List and describe the organic theories of stuttering.


4. List and describe the psychological theories of stuttering.


5. List and describe the learning theories of stuttering.


6. How might stuttering be caused by multiple etiological factors?


7. Describe the diagnostic categories and treatment approaches for a child with a suspected flu-
   ency disorder.


8. Why might a false- positive diagnosis be more harmful than a false- negative one?


9. What are the audible symptoms of stuttering and some therapeutic approaches?


10. What are the vis i ble features of stuttering and some therapeutic approaches?


11. How can speech- related anxiety and the associated negative emotions be desensitized?


12. Is there a stuttering personality? What role might stuttering play in the development of per-
    sonality?

Owens, R., Farinella, K., & Metz, D. (2015). Introduction to communication disorders. A lifespan, evidence- based perspec-
tive (5th ed.). Boston, MA: Pearson.
This book addresses stuttering from an evidence- based perspective and has embedded videos to illustrate salient
concepts.
Tanner,  D. (1994). Pragmatic stuttering intervention for children (2nd ed.). Ocean side, CA: Academic Communication
Associates.
Fluency, attitudes, feelings, and effectiveness in the pragmatic aspects of communication are the focus of this practi-
cal stuttering intervention program for children.
Tanner, D. (1999). Understand stuttering: A guide for parents. Ocean side, CA: Academic Communication Associates.
This pamphlet describes stuttering and provides helpful suggestions for parents and teachers.