Abstract
This paper highlights the important topic of stuttering and its effects on individual stutterers, from a sociolinguistic point of view. It looks at the negative stereotypes and prejudices that are associated with people who stutter and those that attempt to conceal their stuttering. The paper analyzes whether attempting to conceal stuttering is in fact effective or if it adds to the negative stereotypes that surround stutterers.

Table of Contents:
Ignorance and Generalization
Backfiring of Concealment Strategies

From the Paper
"In sum, the attempts to disguise or avoid stuttering may contribute to an even worse overall perception of the stutterer. Listeners are not easily fooled by concealment strategies, and they tend to react more favourable to speech "blocks, repetitions and prolongations" than to attempts of disguise (Parry)."
"Even if the stutterer does get away with his attempt, the outcome might be far from desirable. He may confirm the popular stereotype that sutterers are "shy, nervous, anxious, tense, fearful, introverted, quiet or reticent (Acton and Hird 505; Heite)," or maybe even worse, create himself a social identity that is associated with terms like arrogance and disinterest."

Tags:stammer, disfluency, prejudice

Abstract
Stuttering is a communication disorder that interferes with a child's ability to speak fluently. It is characterized by the prolongation or blockage of sound, repetition, syllables or words, and its course can be cyclical, with the frequency and severity of the stuttering changing dramatically over time. This paper provides an overview of stuttering in preschool-age children, including how a stutter develops and how children are assessed.

Paper Outline:

General Description of the Disorder
Stuttering in Preschool-age Children
Patterns of Stuttering
Development of a Stutter
Assessment of Preschool Disfluent Children
Predictive Factors of Preschool Children Who Will Have Persistent Stuttering
References

From the Paper
"Trautman says that there is also some research suggesting that children who have a behaviorally inhibited temperament might be at increased risk for stuttering (e.g. children who appear to be more sensitive to changes and tend to cry more often). In addition, Trauman notes that some parents have reported changes in the fluency of their child's speech after (non-related) treatment with stimulant medications, such as Ritalin (methylphenidate) and some asthma medications. However, she says that she knows of no clinical evidence supporting these observations."

Tags:communication, disfluency, repetition, Ritalin

Abstract
Stuttering is characterized by an abnormal high frequency and/or duration of stoppages in the forward flow of speech. Such stoppages usually take the form of sound repetitions, syllables or one-word syllables, prolongations of sounds or blocks of airflow or voice speech. This paper examines the speech problem of stuttering in pre-school children. It examines causes, symptoms and possible treatments. It includes a table.

Paper Outline:
General Description of the Disorder
Stuttering in Pre-school Age Children
Patterns of Stuttering
Assessment of Preschool Disfluent Children
References

From the Paper
"Other factors, such as traumatic events can also disrupt speech patterns, particularly in younger children. Trautman says that there is also some research suggesting that children who have a behaviorally inhibited temperament might be at increased risk for stuttering (e.g. children who appear to be more sensitive to changes and tend to cry more often). In addition, Trauman notes that some parents have reported changes in the fluency of their child's speech after (non-related) treatment with stimulant medications, such as Ritalin (methylphenidate) and some asthma medications."

Tags:disfluency, syllables, genetic, language, pathologist