Graduation Year

2024

Document Type

Thesis

Degree

M.S.

Degree Name

Master of Science (M.S.)

Degree Granting Department

Communication Sciences and Disorders

Major Professor

Nathan D. Maxfield, Ph.D, CCC-SLP

Committee Member

Natalie S. Pak, Ph.D, CCC-SLP

Committee Member

Michelle Hite, M.S., CCC-SLP

Keywords

Comorbidities, Difficulties, Emotions, Fluency, Strengths

Abstract

Addressing quality of life is a critical part of speech-language pathology. Understanding quality of life deficits and challenges in our patients’ lives allows us to provide well-rounded treatment. Quality of life in children who stutter and children with autism spectrum disorder has been heavily researched (children with autism spectrum disorder to a lesser extent). However, despite approximately 1 in 1000 children being dually diagnosed with stuttering and autism spectrum disorder (Briley & Ellis, 2018), quality of life in this population has never been researched. This thesis aims to determine whether children diagnosed with both conditions experience similar quality of life challenges, whether there are quality of life challenges that are unique to this group, and if demographic characteristics or comorbid conditions have an impact on quality of life in this group when compared to others. To do this, we analyzed data previously collected from the Center for Disease Control’s National Health Interview Survey (NHIS) between the years 2001-2007 and 2010-2018. Specific items analyzed included age, biological sex, racial makeup, ethnic makeup, and maternal education as well as the Strengths and Difficulties questionnaire portion of the survey. We also addressed possible comorbidities. Participants were grouped into children who stutter only (CWS), children with autism only (CWA), children with dually diagnosed stuttering and autism (CWSA), and typically developing children (TD children). Responses to each Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire item were compared between groups descriptively using percentages and statistically using Mann-Whitney U-tests. Multiple linear regression analyses were used to regress responses to the Strengths and Difficulties questions onto explanatory variables (Group, Age, Sex, Ethnicity/Race, Maternal Education, and Comorbidities). This thesis found that CWSA were more likely to have increased quality of life deficits across all variables in the strengths and difficulties questionnaire than the other groups, followed by CWA, CWS, and TD children. More research is needed to determine why this is and how we can apply this knowledge to assessment and treatment.

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