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The Prevalence of Stuttering, Voice, and Speech-Sound Disorders in Primary School Students in Australia

Sheena Reilly
La Trobe University, Melbourne, Australia
Royal Children's Hospital, Melbourne, Australia
Murdoch Children's Research Institute, Melbourne, Australia

Contact author: Sharynne McLeod, PhD, School of Teacher Education, Charles Sturt University, Panorama Avenue, Bathurst, NSW 2795, Australia. E-mail: smcleod{at}csu.edu.au

PURPOSE: The aims of this study were threefold: to report teachers' estimates of the prevalence of speech disorders (specifically, stuttering, voice, and speech-sound disorders); to consider correspondence between the prevalence of speech disorders and gender, grade level, and socioeconomic status; and to describe the level of support provided to schoolchildren with speech disorders.

METHOD: Students with speech disorders were identified from 10,425 students in Australia using a 4-stage process: training in the data collection process, teacher identification, confirmation by a speech-language pathologist, and consultation with district special needs advisors.

RESULTS: The prevalence of students with speech disorders was estimated; specifically, 0.33% of students were identified as stuttering, 0.12% as having a voice disorder, and 1.06% as having a speech-sound disorder. There was a higher prevalence of speech disorders in males than in females. As grade level increased, the prevalence of speech disorders decreased. There was no significant difference in the pattern of prevalence across the three speech disorders and four socioeconomic groups; however, students who were identified with a speech disorder were more likely to be in the higher socioeconomic groups. Finally, there was a difference between the perceived and actual level of support that was provided to these students.

CONCLUSION: These prevalence figures are lower than those using initial identification by speech-language pathologists and similar to those using parent report.

KEY WORDS: epidemiology, stuttering, voice disorders, phonology, communication

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