Using Syllabic Speech Technique to Decline Stuttering in Severity Persian-speaking School-age Children With Stuttering

Abstract

Introduction: Studies have shown that syllable speech technique (SST) can be a useful and practical way to achieve stutter-free speech for children with stuttering (CWS). In this preliminary study, the use of SST in Persian-speaking school-age CWS was investigated. Materials and Methods: Ten 8- to 11-year-old students with stuttering were entered in the single-group pretest-posttest study as participants. Their speech fluency has been enhanced using SST accompanied by verbal encouragement for stutter-free speech. The percentage of stuttered syllables, stuttering severity, and communication attitude as outcome measures were evaluated in three time points: before the intervention (T0), after the intervention (T1), and one month after the intervention (T2). Results: The children showed significantly better scores on all outcome measures at T1 (P≤0.004) and T2 (P≤0.005) compared with T0. There was no significant difference between T1 and T2 (P≥0.026). Conclusion: The reported benefits of SST in stuttering reduction and speech-related anxiety-relieving of Persian-speaking school-age CWS confirms the feasibility and usefulness of this technique.

Keywords

• Stuttering
• Syllabic speech
• School-age children