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Perspectives on Fluency and Fluency Disorders
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Perspectives on Fluency and Fluency Disorders is published by the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association.
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Coordinator's Corner
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The Advancement of Neuroimaging Research Investigating Developmental Stuttering
We are amassing information about the role of the brain in speech production and the potential neural limitations that coincide with developmental stuttering at a fast rate. As such, it is difficult for many clinician-scientists who are interested in the neural correlates of stuttering to stay informed of the current state of the field. In this paper, I aim to inspire clinician-scientists to tackle hypothesis-driven research that is grounded in neurobiological theory. To this end, I will review the neuroanatomical structures, and their functions, which are implicated in speech production and then describe the relevant differences identified in these structures in people who stutter relative to their fluently speaking peers. I will conclude the paper with suggestions on directions of future research to facilitate the evolution of the field of neuroimaging of stuttering.
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From the Editor
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Stepping Outside of the Box: Using Psychology-Based Methodology To Investigate Temperamental Variables in Children Who Stutter
The purpose of this paper is to raise interest in the use of methodological techniques grounded in developmental psychology to best answer empirical questions about temperamental aspects of stuttering in young children. Empirical studies that examine the temperament of children who stutter based on commonly used developmental psychology research methods—questionnaires and behavior observational tasks—will be reviewed. The benefits and drawbacks of this methodology will also be discussed. Last, suggestions for research or clinical application will also be discussed.
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Coping Strategies and Adolescents: Learning to Take Care of Self and Stuttering during Treatment
The purpose of this paper is to describe coping in the context of adolescence and stuttering. Adolescents who stutter are a unique group of individuals dealing with an episodic, variable, and chronic disorder during a critical developmental stage in their lives. We provide a brief review of adolescence, coping constructs, coping during adolescence, and coping programs. We highlight the role of the speech-language pathologist is as an advocate/guide assisting adolescents who stutter develop appropriate, adaptive strategies for dealing with everyday stressors and the added potential stress associated with stuttering.
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Use of Diffuse Correlation Spectroscopy To Measure Brain Blood Flow Differences During Speaking and Nonspeaking Tasks for Fluent Speakers and Persons Who Stutter
Diffuse correlation spectroscopy (DCS) is a novel optical method for measuring blood flow in deep tissues that has not yet been used in stuttering research. DCS is a portable technique that employs low power radiation in a safe region of the electromagnetic spectrum (near-infrared) to noninvasively record relative changes in regional blood flow. The technology has successfully probed hemodynamic responses of the human brain and can potentially be used to assess and understand differences in brain areas associated with speech production in persons who stutter and normally fluent speakers. This pilot study reports on the feasibility of DCS to assess blood flow levels in the brains of persons who stutter and normally fluent speakers during speaking and nonspeaking tasks including, singing, counting, choral reading, conversational speech, and reading aloud.
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