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Semin Speech Lang 2018; 39(04): 299-312
DOI: 10.1055/s-0038-1667159
Review Article
Thieme Medical Publishers 333 Seventh Avenue, New York, NY 10001, USA.

What Are Predictors for Persistence in Childhood Stuttering?

Bridget Walsh
1   Department of Communicative Sciences and Disorders, Michigan State University, East Lansing, Michigan
,
Evan Usler
2   Department of Speech, Language, and Hearing Sciences, Speech and Feeding Disorders Laboratory, Boston University, MGH Institute of Health Professions, Boston, Massachusetts
,
Anna Bostian
3   Department of Speech, Language, and Hearing Sciences, Purdue University, West Lafayette, Indiana
,
Ranjini Mohan
4   Department of Communication Disorders, Texas State University, San Marcos, Texas
,
Katelyn Lippitt Gerwin
3   Department of Speech, Language, and Hearing Sciences, Purdue University, West Lafayette, Indiana
,
Barbara Brown
3   Department of Speech, Language, and Hearing Sciences, Purdue University, West Lafayette, Indiana
,
Christine Weber
3   Department of Speech, Language, and Hearing Sciences, Purdue University, West Lafayette, Indiana
,
Anne Smith
3   Department of Speech, Language, and Hearing Sciences, Purdue University, West Lafayette, Indiana
› Author Affiliations
Further Information

Publication History

Publication Date:
24 August 2018 (online)

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Abstract

Over the past 10 years, we (the Purdue Stuttering Project) have implemented longitudinal studies to examine factors related to persistence and recovery in early childhood stuttering. Stuttering develops essentially as an impairment in speech sensorimotor processes that is strongly influenced by dynamic interactions among motor, language, and emotional domains. Our work has assessed physiological, behavioral, and clinical features of stuttering within the motor, linguistic, and emotional domains. We describe the results of studies in which measures collected when the child was 4 to 5 years old are related to eventual stuttering status. We provide supplemental evidence of the role of known predictive factors (e.g., sex and family history of persistent stuttering). In addition, we present new evidence that early delays in basic speech motor processes (especially in boys), poor performance on a nonword repetition test, stuttering severity at the age of 4 to 5 years, and delayed or atypical functioning in central nervous system language processing networks are predictive of persistent stuttering.

Keywords

Stuttering - speech motor control - persistence - recovery - children - language - emotion - fNIRS - ERP

Disclosures

B.W. is supported by NIH NIDCD grants R03 DC013402 and R01 DC00559. She has no relevant nonfinancial relationships to disclose.


E.U. receives funding from an NIH NIDCD postdoctoral training grant T32 DC013017, PI: Christopher Moore. He has no relevant nonfinancial relationships to disclose.


A.B. has no relevant financial disclosures. She has no relevant nonfinancial relationships to disclose.


R.M. receives salary from Texas State University. She has no relevant nonfinancial relationships to disclose.


K.L.G. receives a stipend and tuition remission through the Knox Fellowship at Purdue University. She has no relevant nonfinancial relationships to disclose.


B.B. receives a salary from Purdue University and is supported by NIH NIDCD grant R01 DC00559. She has no relevant nonfinancial relationships to disclose.


C.W. receives a salary from Purdue University and support from NIH NIDCD grants R01 DC00559 and R01 DC014708. She has no relevant nonfinancial relationships to disclose.


A.S. receives a salary from Purdue University and support from NIH NIDCD grant R01 DC00559. She has no relevant nonfinancial relationships to disclose.


 

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