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From: Ken St. Louis
Date: 16 Oct 2007
Time: 12:20:36 -0500
Remote Name: 157.182.15.19
Dear student, You mention "the three-factor model" of stuttering. It would be helpful to know what three factors you are referring to. I presume you mean etiological factors, i.e., physiological, psychological, and learning. If so, then let me try to respond. You write, "I don't understand what and how the physiological factors can affect stuttering." I would suggest that you start by getting a recent textbook on stuttering and look at the section on cause/etiology. You'll probably read about the history of each of these factors and some of the data to support each perspective. Then, if the textbook reflects current wisdom, it will probably conclude that most recent evidence suggests that stutterers, as a group, manifest physiological differences from nonstutterers in many areas. For example, a great deal of research suggests that stutterers are not quite normal in terms of central auditory skills and motoric reaction time. There is evidence suggesting that they are different as a group in terms of temperament. Additionally, there is not question that there is a genetic link in about half of those who stutter. In essence, it is not a question of "making sense of" or "understanding" physiological factors; it is a question of empirical research data. We are far beyond the "I feel it in my gut" approach to these matters; we now can and should look at the weight of the evidence. As a student, one of the challenges you face is being able to become a consumer of research. There is no other way to become and stay informed about the nature and treatment of any communication disorder. And a good way to do that at this point is to read current, good textbooks wherein experts have read and summarized the research. Hopefully, you also soon will be doing that for yourself. Good luck. Ken