Variability in Stuttering Severity and Other Symptoms Across Three Fluency States.

Purpose: To quantify variability in external stuttering and other stuttering symptoms and reactions within adults who stutter (AWS) across three fluency states.

Method: A total of 130 AWS responded to an online survey that first asked them to rate their external stuttering severity when least fluent (LF), most naturally fluent (MNF), and when using fluency shaping (FS) techniques using a 9-point semantic differential scale. Fourteen subsequent questions probed a wide range of stuttering symptoms and listener reactions in reference to each of the three states.

Results: High intra- and interindividual variability was observed across all items probed. Within AWS, for 13 of 14 symptoms and reactions, LF was associated with the most negative ratings and MNF with the most positive ratings. FS ratings consistently fell between LF and MNF. Importantly, many symptoms continued to be prominently displayed even in the MNF state.

Conclusions: Findings provide a unique view of intra-individual variability in stuttering symptoms in reference to external stuttering severity. In addition, these data highlight the costs and benefits associated with using FS. Other clinical implications are discussed.