Analysis of Stutterers Characteristics in Association with Age of Onset and Family History of Stuttering

Abstract

Introduction

Stuttering is a common occurrence in children which is also known as stammering, dysfluency or clutching of words. Aims of present study was to study association of age of onset and family history of stuttering with stutterers characteristics. 

Materials and Methods

Total 136 stutterers were included in the study.  All stutterers were subjected to complete ear nose and throat examination. All stutterers were evaluated by speech language therapist for diagnosis of speech disorder.

Results

Out of 136 stutterers 124 (91%) were male while 12 (9%) were female ranging from 6 years to 56 years, 15 (11%) had age of onset below 3 years, 98 (72%) had 3 years to 6 years while 23 (17%) had onset after age of 6 years, 44 (36.4%) male and 1 (8.3%) female patient had first degree family history of stuttering, 15 (11%) had mild stuttering, 98 (72%) had moderate stuttering while 23 (17%) had severe stuttering, 102 (75%) had secondary stuttering characteristics including 94 (75.8%) male and 8 (67%) female stutterers.

Conclusion

Present study concluded that there is definite association of between age of onset and severity of stuttering, between duration of stuttering and secondary characteristics and between severity and number of secondary characteristics of stuttering. We couldn’t find significant association between positive family history of stuttering among first degree relatives and age of onset, severity and secondary characteristics of stuttering.