P01-341-Socialization aspects in children with stuttering

Abstract

Stuttering, as a communication disorder, is a field of great interest, with many hypothesis regarding its nature and appropriate treatment. Many studies tried to emphasize the bond between stuttering and anxiety. Frequently, stuttering is associated with strong emotional reaction, as anxiety, emphasized by negative consequences of “not being able to talk accurately”. This turns in avoidance of speak and social problems as school difficulties.

The aim of this study is anxiety evaluation in children with stuttering through specialized psychological intervention.

We applied MASC (Multidimensional Anxiety Scale for Children) and CDI (Child Depression Inventory) to 20 children diagnosed with stuttering, aged 6–16, from Cluj -Napoca, both at the beginning and at the end of the study. Psychological intervention consisted of two evaluation sessions (one with the parent and one with the child) and ten group sessions (psychodrama and cognitive-behavioral techniques).

The results showed a significant decrease of anxiety (p < 0.05), and no difference in depression symptoms (for statistical data we used SPSS 16.0 Program).