A social work perspective on stutterjng

Abstract

Stuttering is a complex, multidimensional fluency disorder which has both overt and covert dimensions . The overt dimension refers to the visible and audible aspects of stuttering, whereas the covert dimension includes the feelings of the person who stutters as well as the feelings evoked in listeners. This paper addresses the covert aspect with particular reference to the psychosocial issues likely to occur during the childhood, adolescent and adulthood stages of the life cycle. Emphasis is placed on the need for clinicians to focus not only on the disordered speech. Counselling can play a significant role in helping persons who stutter to confront their attitudes, beliefs and fears regarding their stuttering behaviour. Counsellors can also modify the environment in terms of the way significant others feel ancf behave in relation to the stutterer.