Abstract
Stuttering is a fluency disorder that affects approximately 31.8 million Americans as reported by the Stuttering Foundation of America in 2022. Though stuttering is more commonly diagnosed in pediatric clients, there is a need to investigate the implications of the fluency disorder in adults. Therefore, this study investigated Speech-Language Pathologists’ (SLPs’) familiarity and comfort level utilizing stuttering treatment options with adults who stutter. Specifically, the study investigated SLPs’ perceptions of Stuttering Modification, Fluency Shaping, and Altered Auditory Feedback (AAF); their experience diagnosing and treating adults who stutter; and the SLPs’ perceptions of their clients’ responses when these treatment techniques were utilized. The instrument used to collect the data for the current study was an HSRC-approved quantitative investigation making use of survey research techniques. The survey was sent to various professional fluency disorder groups, as well as highly renown SLPs that specialize in stuttering. Several major conclusions were made from the current study including the following: SLPs indicated a statistically significant difference being more comfortable diagnosing than treating stuttering. SLPs also indicated high levels of comfort utilizing Stuttering Modification and Fluency shaping, with a significant difference of Stuttering Modification being used more frequently. The data also indicated variable levels of perceived frustration demonstrated by adult clients who stutter regarding the treatment options available for their fluency disorder. Interestingly, the SLPs’ also indicated high levels of perceived client satisfaction with the results achieved when Stuttering Modification and Fluency Shaping techniques were utilized. The final major finding, specific to AAF, was that although more than half of the SLPs’ were familiar with AAF, the technique along with the SpeechEasy fluency devices were not commonly used.
Advisor
Goldberg, Donald
Department
Communication Sciences and Disorders
Recommended Citation
Venzor, Yatzari, "An Investigation of Speech-Language Pathologists' Perceptions of Adults Who Stutter and the Most Effective Treatment Methods Including Altered Auditory Feedback" (2023). Senior Independent Study Theses. Paper 10432.
https://openworks.wooster.edu/independentstudy/10432
Disciplines
Communication Sciences and Disorders | Speech Pathology and Audiology
Keywords
stuttering, stuttering modification, fluency shaping, Altered Auditory Feedback (AAF), SpeechEasy
Publication Date
2023
Degree Granted
Bachelor of Arts
Document Type
Senior Independent Study Thesis
© Copyright 2023 Yatzari Venzor