In this workshop, we will explore the complexities of defining stuttering severity. Our discussion will be based on a study that reviewed 21 definitions from over 500 sources, which predominantly focus on observable characteristics. We will emphasize the importance of including the internal experience of stuttering, such as the speaker's sense of "loss of control." This workshop advocates for a comprehensive approach that combines both external observations and subjective experiences to better understand and address stuttering severity.
- Participants will be able to describe trends in formal definitions of severity derived from a comprehensive review of the literature in multiple languages.
- Participants will be able to explain the significance of incorporating subjective experiences and observable characteristics in the definition of stuttering severity, demonstrating a holistic approach to understanding this concept
- Participants will be able to discuss two of the challenges of defining stuttering severity
About the presenters
Angelica Bernabe Roman
Angelica Bernabe, from Peru, is the director of the Specialized Center for Stuttering. She is a speech and language pathologist from Michigan State University and a PhD student at Florida State University. Angelica won the International Fluency Association Clinician Award in 2022 for helping Hispanic people who stutter.