Template:Development of a stutter

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Development of a stutter
Phase Description Age
I
  • Disfluencies tend to be single syllable, whole word, or phrase repetitions, interjections, pauses, and revisions.
  • The child will not exhibit visible tension, frustration or anxiety when speaking disfluently.
  • Normal disfluency will occur when the child is learning to walk or refining motor skills.
  • There are periods (days or weeks) of fluency and disfluency.
  • Changes in the child's environment can cause normal disfluency.
 2–6
II
  • Disfluencies tend to be repetitions and sound prolongations.
  • More than two disfluencies put together (for example, "Lllllets g-g-go there") and periods of fluency and disfluency come and go in cycles.
  • The child demonstrates little awareness or concern about disfluencies but may express frustration.
 2–6
III
  • Disfluency most commonly occurs at the beginning of words or phrases.
  • The child tends to be more disfluent when excited or upset.
  • Repetitions are usually part-word as opposed to whole-word.
  • Stuttering comes and goes in cycles, sometimes triggered by events and stressors.
  • The child may show awareness that speech is difficult in addition to frustration.
 2–6
IV
  • Types of disfluencies include repetitions, prolongations, and blocks.
  • Stuttering becomes chronic, without periods of fluency.
  • Secondary behaviors appear (such as eye blinking, limb movements, lip movements).
  • Stuttering tends to increase when the stutter is excited, upset or under pressure.
  • Fear and avoidance of sounds, words, people, or speaking situations may develop.
  • The person may feel embarrassment or shame surrounding the stuttering.
 6–13
V
  • Speech is characterized by frequent and noticeable interruptions.
  • The person may have poor eye contact and use tricks to disguise the stuttering.
  • The stutterer anticipates stuttering, and fears and avoids speaking.
  • The person self-identifies as a stutterer and experiences frustration, embarrassment and/or shame.
  • The person may choose a lifestyle where speaking can be avoided.
 14+
Valerie LaPorte (2001). Onset and Development. University of Minnesota, Duluth, Stuttering Home Page. Retrieved on 2007-09-22.