Analysis of Word-final Dysfluencies in Conversations of a Child with Autism: A Treatment Case Study

Word final dysfluencies (WFDs) are a type of dysfluent repetition or prolongation occurring at the end of words. The repetitions may include single sound repetitions or rhyme repetitions. A pause may or may not be present before a repetition. This study analyzed the use of WFDs in a school-age male with Autism during conversational speech. The frequencies of these WFDs were analyzed according to multiple variables: utterance complexity, utterance length, interest of topic, and initiation of utterance. Higher percentages of WFDs were present for sentences of increased length and/or complexity, as well as for those sentences related to high-interest or participant-initiated topics.