Praxis SLP Licensure Exam

What emotional response might a child experience in connection with their stuttering?

1. Indifference towards speaking

2. Increased confidence in social settings

3. Fear of public speaking

4. Heightened interest in communication

The correct answer is: Fear of public speaking

A child who stutters may develop a fear of public speaking due to the challenges they experience with fluency in their speech. Stuttering can lead to feelings of anxiety, embarrassment, or frustration, particularly in situations where they feel they could be judged or scrutinized by peers or adults. This fear is often rooted in past experiences where the child may have felt self-conscious or faced teasing or negative reactions from others when attempting to speak. As a result, the emotional response of fear can significantly affect their willingness to engage in speaking situations, particularly in public settings. This can lead to avoidance behaviors, where the child may try to steer clear of situations that require them to speak in front of an audience. Understanding these emotional responses is crucial for speech-language pathologists to provide appropriate support and interventions to help the child manage their stuttering and associated fears. In contrast, indifference towards speaking, increased confidence in social settings, and heightened interest in communication are less likely emotional responses for children who stutter, as their experiences typically include heightened self-awareness and concern about their speech fluency.