The Use of Art during Diagnosis and Treatment of Stuttering

Peter Lajos

Clinicians may find it useful to use drawings during diagnosis and treatment of stuttering, I use pictures in both group and individual therapy. In individual therapy, I ask the children to draw their family, a fantasy family or their stutter. I also use the picture to discuss what happens during stuttering, including the possibility that fear actually sometimes causes the stutter. Artwork can help children to share their feelings about stuttering. I will present a case study of a 11 years old boy. He was a talented artist who stuttered severely. He resisted speech therapy, but was willing to share his emotions about stuttering when he painted.