Praxis SLP Licensure Exam

What is the most appropriate description of a child who exhibits fear of speaking due to stuttering and teasing?

1. Advanced stuttering stage

2. Borderline stuttering stage

3. Intermediate stuttering stage

4. Severe speech disorder

The correct answer is: Intermediate stuttering stage

The most appropriate description of a child who exhibits fear of speaking due to stuttering and teasing aligns with the intermediate stuttering stage. In this stage, children often develop awareness of their speech difficulties and may experience anxiety or frustration related to their speaking abilities. The emotional impact of stuttering, especially when compounded by teasing from peers, can lead to a heightened fear of speaking, which is characteristic of this stage. In intermediate stuttering, children may also begin to avoid certain speaking situations to escape potential negative experiences, such as being teased, which further reinforces their apprehension regarding communication. This developmental stage reflects not just the physical aspect of stuttering, but also the psychological impact that it can have on a child's willingness to speak, making it a crucial point for intervention. While advanced stuttering could involve fear and avoidance behaviors, it typically corresponds with more severe and persistent stuttering characteristics. Borderline stuttering usually involves less severe stuttering behaviors and less awareness and fear. Severe speech disorder does not specify stuttering and could refer to a variety of speech-language impairments that do not particularly describe the stuttering experience and associated emotional responses. Therefore, in considering the nuances of the child's experience, the intermediate stuttering stage best captures the combination of stuttering severity