Disfluencies and rate of speech in young adult nonstutterers

The purpose of this study was to identify disfluency levels and rates of speech in young adults while they were being interviewed and during reading. Fifty undergraduate students (25 males and 25 females) served as subjects. Each was recorded individually while being interviewed and while reading a standard clinical passage. Percentage of disfluency, using eight disfluency categories, and rates of speech were obtained for all conditions. Results provide information that allows for comparison of post-therapy stutterers with nonstutterers during a clinical interview.