Abstract:
Stammering results in involuntary disruption of a person's capacityto speak. It begins at an early age
and can persist for life for at least 20'%of those stammering at 2 years old. Although the aetiological
role of anxiety in stammering has not been determined, evidence is emerging that suggests people
who stammer are more chronicallyand sociallyanxious than those who do not. This is not surprising,
given that the symptoms of stammering can be socially embarrassing and personally frustrating, and
have the potential to impede vocational and social growth, Implications for DSM-IV diagnostic criteria
for stammering and current treatments of stammering are discussed. We hope that this article will
encourage a better understanding of the consequences of living with a speech or fluency disorder as
well as motivate the development of treatment protocols that directly target the social fears associated
with stammering.
