[Reliability of assessment of audible stuttering behavior]

The authors examine the essential aspects of the behaviour of the stutterer as perceived by the ear and discuss the reliability of the appreciation. The method of molecular analysis of speech samples of children aged from 7 to 12 years is described. The conclusion is that using this method, four out of the six categories of children examined show complete concordance and can be repeated as required; this is particularly true insofar as elongations, blockages, repetitions and interjections are concerned. However, one cannot consider as valid criteria the length of the pauses and the quality of breathing during phonation.