Stories of Origin and Transition in the Lives of Persons who Stutter

Amy Weiss and Dana Kovarsky

This presentation will investigate regularities and differences in the personal experiences of persons who stutter (PWS) as they relate their recollections of first self-identification of themselves as PWS, or stories of origin, and their moments of decision to make changes in their speech, or stories of transition. Analysis of how these two important passages in the lives of PWS unfold may yield useful information for therapists designing comprehensive programs for carryover of stuttering management strategies into their clients’ activities of daily living.