Factors Related to Stuttering Onset in Korean Children Who Stutter

Shin, Moonja

ORIGINAL ARTICLE

Commun Sci Disord. 2011;16(2): 103-113.

Moonja Shin^`

신문자(Moonja Shin)

ABSTRACT

Background & Objectives
The purpose of this study was to explore factors related to stuttering onset and the interaction between factors in Korean children who stutter.
Methods
Participants were 185 stuttering children between the age of 2 and 6 years (boys 148, girls 37; male to female ratio 4:1). Information regarding participant age, types of disfluencies at the onset of stuttering and manner of stuttering onset (gradual or sudden) were collected via questionnaire and interview with the primary caregiver.
Results
Stuttering onset was the most frequent from two to three years of age (69.2%), and stuttering occurred suddenly for 67% of stuttering children. The most frequent type of disfluency was R2 (within-word repetitions) and then R2+DP (disrhythmic phonation: prolongations and/or blocks). There were significant associations between age at onset and type of disfluency and between sex and manner of stuttering onset. Discussion & Conclusions: Current findings support the idea that stuttering generally begins before the age of three. Also, the results indicate that stuttering onset is not uniform.