Stutter-like dysfluencies in Flemish sign language users

The purpose of this communication is to report on the occurrence of stutter-like behaviour in Flemish Sign Language users. A questionnaire was sent to 38 Flemish Sign Language interpreters and 28 employees of special needs schools adapted to deaf and partially deaf pupils inquiring whether they had ever observed dysfluencies in the manual communication of the deaf and partially deaf. Of the 13 individuals who responded, nine indicated to have perceived such behaviour. The characteristics of the observed dysfluencies are summarized and implications are discussed.