THE PREVALENCE OF STUTTERING, VOICE DISORDER, AND SPEECH SOUND DISORDERS IN PRESCHOOLERS IN SHAHREKORD, IRAN

The inability to communicate easily and clearly can have far-reaching debilitating effects, not only in childhood, but throughout a lifetime. The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of stuttering, voice disorder, and speech sound disorders in Persian preschoolers in Shahrekord, Iran. Information about 1,387 children ages 5 to 6 was obtained via face-to-face screening and assessment. The total prevalence of speech disorders was 17.1%. The prevalence of stuttering was 1.5%, while 13.4% had a speech sound disorder, and 2.2% had voice disorder. The prevalence of stuttering was higher in males (2.2%) than females (0.7%); of speech sound disorders was higher in males (17.4%) than females (9.1%); and of voice disorder was higher in males (2.6%) than females (1.6%). The prevalence of stuttering and speech sound disorder was significantly different according to gender and positive family history. The prevalence figures revealed that a considerable number of preschoolers with speech disorders were missed in parents’ and teachers’ reports. Those children required more intensive communication support than they were receiving. Therefore, classroom teachers should work with speech and language pathologists to identify and assess preschoolers with communication disorders, and to develop intervention strategies.