What is stuttering? - defining stuttering from the speaker's viewpoint

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Re: Stuttering and anxiety

From: Mark
Date: 15 Oct 2008
Time: 17:58:03 -0500
Remote Name: 203.192.86.115

Comments

Ann, Thanks for responding to being pressed (!) and for agreeing that the present word stuttering does not necessarily cover covert stuttering or associated social anxiety. Given we agree a problem exists then I’m sure we would also agree a solution is necessary. I think with our collective intellects we could come up with a better solution than simply the term “stuttering disorder”. The following reasons are offered 1. the term stuttering disorder already exists and confusion abounds 2. by using SSS the term “disorder” could be reserved for the overarching description of stuttering behaviour (act of stuttering) and SSS. In my article the individuals Tom, Dick and Harry all had stuttering disorders. Tom with no associated psychopathology, Dick with covert stuttering, and Harry with SSS. The need for a term like SSS is extremely important in my view since it is the Social Anxiety Disorder –not the stuttering - that most significantly limits functioning. Re your concern about “medicalizing” stuttering: My counter view is that until diagnosis of stuttering and associated psychopathology is”medicalized” through appropriate diagnostic labeling, then appropriate treatment is unlikely and appropriate public awareness is impossible. As you know this is the rationale for existence of diagnostic source codes like the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM). Ann, I recognize that change is confronting and uncomfortable so thanks again for engaging with me on this subject. I am convinced Syndrome is an appropriate word as by medical convention it is used to refer to a collection/set of symptoms all of which may or may not be present. (SAD is referred to a syndrome, as is stuttering so why not SSS?) Besides SSS is a perfect acronym for a stuttering disorder. Surely I’m making sense? Tickets on SSS bandwagon are still available – what do you think now? With your research and publications you are a person whose intellectual abilities are recognized internationally, please let me know where my thinking is illogical or unhelpful? Apologies if you feel pressed (!) but you know what we Australians are like! Cheers, Mark


Last changed: 10/15/08