Stuttering-Like Behaviors in ASL
Cripps et al.
exhibited ‘signed stuttering’. Compared to previous studies, current results indicated more
individuals who exhibit this type of stuttering in ASL. The individuals who exhibited stuttering-
like behaviors appear to support Snyder’s (2009) theory of stuttering as part of a central processing
error regardless of modality (i.e., speech or sign). The fact that many respondents could identify
with the eight characteristics of ‘signed stuttering’ in the Whitebread list is noteworthy. This
finding is consistent with other studies assessing stuttering-like behaviors in the signed language
modality indicates a degree of validity for using the Whitebread list.
Of the deaf individuals who demonstrated stuttering-like behaviors, 75% of the males
exhibited this type of stuttering which is similar to the findings in spoken stuttering (3:1 male to
female ratio) related to gender differences (Guitar, 2014). In addition, stuttering-like behaviors
while signing were most frequently observed at the beginning and middle of the utterance, which
appears to be consistent with the findings from spoken stuttering studies (e.g., Au-Yeung, Howell,
& Pilgrim, 1998; Wingate 1979). Other notable findings of the current study include the role of
environmental settings during which signed stuttering-like behaviors in ASL frequently occurred.
The notion of how specific situations could worsen stuttering-like behaviors for ASL is consistent
with what hearing individuals who stuttering experience. Information that was surprising, which
had been shared from the respondents from answers to open-ended questions, was the influence of
“internal factors” for individuals with ‘signed stuttering’. For example, negative emotions (such
as stress, frustration, and anger) were also found to influence stuttering-like behaviors in ASL.
External and internal factors identified in this study were similar to factors that influence spoken
language stuttering (e.g., Guitar, 2014; Yaruss & Quesal, 2004).
Another item of interest relates to awareness and self-awareness of ‘signed stuttering’.
Most respondents were unsure whether the individuals who exhibited these behaviors were aware
of their stuttering-like behaviors (only 28% of the respondents reported that this was the case).
This suggests that a large number of individuals with ‘signed stuttering’ in the deaf community
may not be knowledgeable or aware of the characteristics of stuttering-like behaviors in ASL. This
lack of awareness emphasizes the need for education of deaf community members and their
families related to stuttering and perhaps overall language abilities in ASL. Granted, there are some
speech-language pathologists who know ASL and may work in a school for the deaf. However,
the specific education and training that they have is strictly tied to spoken language (Shipley &
Cripps, 2018; see Cripps et al., 2016a for details on the lack of familiarity with professionals on
signed language disorders such as graduate students who are trained to become speech-language
pathologists).
Future research could focus on more in-depth case studies that continue to identify the three
most commonly types of signed stuttering (i.e., hesitation of sign movement, repetition of sign
movement, and poor fluidity), which may serve as a starting point for language-related
professionals. These three types of behaviors could be identified as targets for diagnostic
assessments and therapeutic procedures (and treatment models) for this specific population who
exhibit signed stuttering. Such focus of study will contribute to a greater understanding of
stuttering-like behaviors and their characteristics in signed language. Overall, the current study
sheds a strong light on the existence of stuttering-like behaviors in signed language, findings that
corroborate previous research. The results from current study found a large number of individuals
who demonstrated stuttering-like behaviors in ASL, suggesting that increased attention should be
paid to the area of signed language pathology, such as developing diagnostic and therapeutic
procedures to help this population. As human beings, deaf individuals who exhibit these types of
SASLJ, Vol. 2, No.1 – Spring/Summer 2018
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