The Use of an Interactive Social Simulation Tool for Adults Who Stutter: A Pilot Study

Abstract

This study reports a user evaluation of a DVD-based social simulator, developed for people who stutter to potentially gain confidence in using a learned fluency technique. The aim was to examine and evaluate the pilot of the DVD-based social simulator, Scenari-Aid, to inform the development of an online version of the program. Thirty-seven adults who were stuttering were recruited to the study from non-professional groups in Australia. The DVD comprised scenarios with actors in real-life settings that were designed to elicit verbal responses. Participants worked through the scenarios at their own rate and then completed an online survey. The survey comprised 29 statements requiring responses on a 5-point Likert scale and provided information about users’ perceptions of participating in the social simulations. There was high positive agreement among the participants on all statements, the most important being that they perceived the scenarios represented in everyday speaking situations and that they felt immersed in them. Participants also agreed that both their fluency and confidence increased in everyday speaking situations as a result of working through the DVD scenarios. The developers were satisfied that, despite the subjective nature of the findings, the study provided sufficient support for constructing the online version, which is now available to the public free of charge. Further research is needed to provide empirical evidence of the contribution it can make to the efficacy of speech programs for adults who stutter.

Communicative practices and perceptions towards stuttering people in South Africa

“…The participants self-identified as stuttering for certain reasons. As research has shown, speech-language pathology across South Africa has always been inaccessible to the most vulnerable (Khoza-Shangase & Mophosho, 2021 ) and costly for lower-income communities to afford (Meredith et al, 2023 ). The acquaintances of the PWS who completed the questionnaire were either related to the interviewees or just known to them.…”

Eye movement as a simple, cost-effective tool for people who stutter: A case study

“…Accessibility to speech-language pathology across South Africa has always been a key barrier to helping the most vulnerable (Khoza-Shangase & Mophosho, 2018 ), and there has been a call for research evidence that can help facilitate a culturally, linguistically and contextually compatible service delivery, within the population and context (Khoza-Shangase & Mophosho, 2021 ). Current approaches to treating stuttering (Brignell et al, 2020 ; Connery et al, 2021 ) can be costly for individuals and overload speech pathology services (Meredith et al, 2023 ). Specifically, speech restructuring programmes such as the Comprehensive Stuttering Programme (Karani & Mupawose, 2020 ; Langevin et al, 2010 ; Scott Yaruss et al, 2012a) and the Camperdown Programme (Carey et al, 2010 , 2012 ), which have the most empirical evidence, are difficult to maintain post-treatment.…”