Related Experiment Videos
The early months of stuttering: a developmental study
E Yairi1, N G Ambrose, R Niermann
1University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign.
Journal of Speech and Hearing Research
|June 1, 1993
Summary
Early childhood stuttering often appears severe but typically improves significantly within six months. This rapid reduction highlights the importance of timing for early intervention in childhood stuttering.
Area of Science:
- Speech-Language Pathology
- Developmental Pediatrics
Background:
- Objective data on early stuttering development is limited.
- Parents often delay seeking professional help for early stuttering.
- Longitudinal studies commencing near stuttering onset are rare.
Purpose of the Study:
- To document the initial presentation and 6-month development of stuttering in preschool children.
- To analyze changes in stuttering severity and associated behaviors.
- To inform the timing of early intervention strategies.
Main Methods:
- Followed 16 preschool children diagnosed with stuttering within weeks of onset.
- Utilized multiple measures including disfluency counts, associated movements, and parent/clinician ratings.
- Conducted a 6-month longitudinal observation period.
Main Results:
- Early stuttering frequently presented as moderate-to-severe.
- Significant reductions were observed in stuttering-like disfluencies and associated movements.
- Clinician and parent ratings of stuttering severity also decreased substantially.
- Complete recovery was noted in several participants, including severe cases.
Conclusions:
- Early childhood stuttering undergoes rapid and substantial changes within the first six months post-onset.
- The duration of stuttering history significantly impacts research findings.
- The high rate of early improvement warrants careful consideration of intervention timing.