Speech-Language Pathologists’ Perceptions of Persons Who Stutter Before and After Speech Therapy
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.12970/2311-1917.2017.05.02Keywords:
Stuttering, aphasia, therapy, perception, stereotype, speech-language pathologist.Abstract
Background and Aim: It has been well established that the general public and speech-language pathologists (SLPs) perceive persons who stutter (PWS) in a negative manner. SLPs’ perceptions of PWS, before and after the completion of speech therapy, were examined. Their perceptions were contrasted with those of persons with aphasia (PWA) and a typical normal speaker.
Methods: SLP participants (N = 188) completed bipolar adjectives/semantic differential test scales. Each participant completed three scales (i.e., one for the normal speaker, PWS, and PWA).
Results: SLPs perceived PWS and PWA significantly more negatively (e.g., more guarded, nervous, shy, tense, anxious, withdrawn, reticent, avoiding, introverted, and self-derogatory) than a normal speaker (p < .002). PWS were perceived more negatively (e.g., uncooperative, shy, self-conscious, tense, anxious, avoiding, emotional, and careless) than PWA before therapy (p < .002). There were no significant differences in perceptions between PWA and PWS after therapy (p > .002). While the perception of numerous scale items improved for PWS and PWA after therapy, many were still significantly different than the normal speaker (p < .002).
Conclusions: The findings of the present study suggest SLPs perceive PWS and PWA in a negative light. While perceptions of clients improve following therapy, some negative stereotypes remain relative to a typical normal speaker.
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