The Illinois International Stuttering Research Program

Stuttering in African American Children

Data on the incidence and prevalence of stuttering and their various distributions, e.g., according to age and gender, are necessary for estimating the magnitude of the disorder, understanding risk factors and level of recovery, interpret genetic findings, planning clinical services, and more. There have been many suggestions that cultural and ethnic backgrounds influence the occurrence of stuttering. Hence, it is important to obtain relevant, reliable data for minorities.

The general objective of this project is to study the incidence and prevalence of stuttering in African American preschool age children. The specific objectives are to:

1. develop and refine procedures for surveying stuttering in this minority group,
2. ascertain overall rate of stuttering incidence and prevalence in children ages 2 to 5,
3. ascertain specific age distribution of stuttering within this range,
4. ascertain the gender distribution of stuttering, and
5. ascertain the familial incidence of stuttering.

This project was supported by a special grant from the National Institutes of Health, National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders.

Send questions and comments to:
Dr. Nicoline Ambrose
Stuttering Research Program
The Department of Speech and Hearing Science
901 S. Sixth St.
Champaign, IL 61820
Phone:217-333-2230