Preliminary information on stuttering characteristics contrasted between African American and white children

There is a lack of studies looking at variation of behavioral stuttering among various cultures. This study compared verbal disfluency and accessory characteristics of 15 African American and 15 White male stutterers between the ages of 8 and 12. In addition to a speaking attitude scale for each of the subjects, conversational and reading samples were gathered. Good intra- and inter-judge reliability was found in assessing the various tasks. Overall results revealed no statistically significant differences in verbal or visual disfluency behaviors on either the reading or conversation tasks between the African American and White groups of children. In addition, no differences in attitudes toward speaking situations was found between the two groups of children. Implications for the diagnosis and treatment of disfluent African American elementary school aged children are discussed. Specific suggestions are made for additional disfluency research with African American children.