Stuttering-Like Behaviors in ASL
Cripps et al.
1) Repetition of sign movement – this symptom involves the unanticipated use of
repetition for movement when a given sign requires only singular movement. For
example, the production of GRANDMA requires a spiral movement (with one
circle after the other over the path) away from a signer’s chin. Instead, the signer
would produce the visibly distorted word all on the chin location with repeated
circular movement made there;
2) Blocking during sign movement – this symptom is actually broad and underlies
one of the important characteristics of stuttering-like behaviors, which is
inconsistency. If a sign is subject to blocking during its movement, it would appear
to be frozen or halted. Therefore, the sign ends up stalled during its production.
This occurs randomly with various signs. There would be no sign that is always
affected;
3) Jerky and hesitant sign movement – this behavior occurs prior to or during
signing. All phonological features of the sign associated with the handshape,
location, and movement would be accurate with the exception of the involuntary
pause. With START as an example, this sign may have two hands in their proper
locations, but the signer would demonstrate jerky or hesitant movement at the
initiation of twisting movement to one hand. A similar effect on signing occurs
between the time the sign is completely formed and the time the movement
necessary to complete the sign begins;
4) Exaggerated/prolonged signs – with this symptom, a signer may find it necessary
to extend time to complete a word appropriately. A word, or possibly a whole
phrase would be signed very slowly in this case. The signer may also do a word
with a significantly larger movement. An example of this would be signing HOUSE
with completely outstretched arms. The sign becomes distortedly magnified;
5) Involuntary interjections – gestures would be included in signing that is not
something to expect for signers. For example, a signer may wind up his arm prior
to signing THROW. This winding up would be adding additional time needed to
overcome the initiation problem. The involuntary interjection of gestures becomes
a visual distortion to signing;
6) Unusual and extra body movements – this possible symptom includes a distorting
movement while a signer expresses PARENTS, for example. The elbow raising
upward in a dramatic way during this sign production is not how the sign is
normally produced. The elbow needs to stay low;
7) Poor fluidity of the sign – with this possible symptom, a signer produces words
that are choppy and unnaturally gated or timed. One example would be DOG that
normally stays in one place when undergoing production. The handshape
positioned in the signing space changes repeatedly from within with the thumb and
SASLJ, Vol. 2, No.1 – Spring/Summer 2018
23