Identification of Procedures Used to Calculate and Modify Speaking Rate for People Who Stutter

Abstract

Speaking rate is an important variable to measure during a stuttering diagnostic evaluation and to modify or treat for many individuals who stutter (Conture 2001; Gregory 2003; Guitar 1998, 2006; Zebrowski & Kelly 2002). This investigation identified procedures used by speech-language pathologists to calculate and modify speaking rate in a clinical setting. A questionnaire was developed and administered to 92 speech-language pathologists that assessed their knowledge of various aspects of speaking rate, as related to the assessment and treatment of people who stutter. Many speech language pathologists were unfamiliar with procedures used to calculate speaking rate during a diagnostic evaluation. Furthermore, many clinicians were seemingly unaware of speaking rate modification methods that can be employed when treating people who stutter. Findings broaden our understanding of methods used by speech-language pathologists to calculate and modify speaking rate when working with people who stutter, as well as those who exhibit other communication disorders.