Speech Motor Dynamics In Stuttering

The present book arose from a conference on Speech Motor Dynamics in Stuttering held at the University of Nijmegen in Nijmegen, the Netherlands from June 13-15, 1985. The conference was organized on the occasion of the 25th anniversary of the Department of Speech Pathology of the University Hospital. The topic selected for the conference and now developed within this book, Speech Motor Dynamics in Stuttering, was judged to be particularly timely and especially relevant to an emerging body of work on stuttering. For over ten years there had been no confer ences that brought together researchers who have worked on stuttering from perspectives stressing the dynamics of motor processes. Yet during that time major changes have occurred in research on stuttering which signify a growing level of scientific maturity within the problem area. This book attempts to character ize a number of major trends in research on speech motor processes in stuttering. There has been a lessening in the postulation of causes of stuttering in the form of global hypothesis which have tenuous ties to empi rical data. New ideas about speech motor processes in stuttering have been stimulated by researchers who have done productive work on more general issues of motor control. This book therefore directs our attention to a number of models of speech production which are relevant to stuttering.

This book presents a comprehensive, state-of-the-art picture of theory and research in speech motor control related to stuttering. The principle theories of speech production are discussed by leading authors, and new explanations for stuttering based on these theories are presented. Sections on research in stuttering and its neurological correlates are also included. Special attention is devoted to the clinical application of research findings. In addition, a broad overview of research on stuttering children is presented.

Stuttering is caused by at least five factors: genetics, two neurological abnormalities, responses to stress, and speech-related fears and anxieties. But most stuttering therapy programs address only one issue, such as breathing a certain way, or not hiding your stuttering. Each might help you in some situations, but you still stutter in other situations. No Miracle Cures instead guides you through treatments for all five factors that contribute to stuttering. You'll find the best treatments for children, teenagers, adults who stutter mildly, and adults who stutter severely. Stuttering may seem like one big problem to you. No Miracle Cures breaks down stuttering into many small problems'and shows you how to solve each one.

Despite decades of research into the nature and treatment of stuttering, the causes and underlying mechanisms of it are still not well understood. In this unique and comprehensive overview of the numerous theories and models which seek to understand and explain stuttering, the authors of Theoretical Issues in Stuttering provide an invaluable account. Covering an impressive range of topics including past and current theories of stuttering, this edition provides the reader with an updated evaluation of the literature on the subject of stuttering alongside exploring the evolution of new theories. Placing each within the relevant historical context, the authors explore the contribution of theory to both understanding and managing stuttering. Theoretical Issues in Stuttering is a critical account of the models and theories which surround the subject of stuttering, aiming to act as a key resource for students of speech-language pathology as well as lecturers, clinicians and researchers within the field.

This textbook presents a new paradigm for understanding the nature and treatment of stuttering based on recent discoveries in neuroscience. The authors illustrate how visible stuttering manifestations are actually a solution to a central problem, acting as a compensatory mechanism for a central involuntary block, rather than a problem in themselves. This book features methods that reduce stuttering by inhibiting this central block, through the use of sensory and motor tools, notably mirror neurons, and shows readers that stuttering is not a condition that can be effortlessly "trained out" of the system or eliminated via simple speech retraining.

This volume contains five papers presented at a conference on developmental and environmental factors related to the onset of stuttering, evaluation and treatment procedures, and the measurement of therapy outcomes. In "The Development of Fluency in Normal Children," C. W. Starkweather considers evaluation of the fluency of young speakers. L. A. Nelson, "Language Formulation Related to Disfluency and Stuttering," focuses on the relationships between language developmental factors, disfluency, and language problems of children. In the paper "Speech Motor Processes and Stuttering in Children: A Theoretical and Clinical Perspective," J. M. Hanley sees the child as a communicating, interacting individual who possesses those motoric disruptions labelled as stuttering. "Emotional and Environmental Problems in Stuttering," by D. E. Williams identifies the increasing trend toward investigation of factors within and outside of the child which contribute to increased disfluency. In "Toward a Therapy Assessment Procedure for Treating Stuttering Children," R. J. Ingham considers ways to evaluate the effectiveness of stuttering and speech therapy programs. A sixth paper, "Integration: Present Status and Prospects for the Future" by H. H. Gregory, offers an integration of the main points made in the individual papers and the resultant discussion groups. (CB)

This book is a comprehensive guide to the evidence, theories, and practical issues associated with recovery from stuttering in early childhood and into adolescence. It examines evidence that stuttering is associated with a range of biological factors — such as genetics — and psychological factors — such as anxiety — and it critically assesses theoretical accounts that attempt to integrate these findings. Written so that it can be used flexibly to meet the demands of courses about stuttering, the book may be used as a text at the undergraduate or graduate level in psychology or speech-language science.