Journal Article

How Stuttering Develops: The Multifactorial Dynamic Pathways Theory

Weber, Christine, Smith, Anne

2017

Overview

Purpose: We advanced a multifactorial, dynamic account of the complex, nonlinear interactions of motor, linguistic, and emotional factors contributing to the development of stuttering. Our purpose here is to update our account as the multifactorial dynamic pathways theory. Method: We review evidence related to how stuttering develops, including genetic/epigenetic factors; motor, linguistic, and emotional features; and advances in neuroimaging studies. We update evidence for our earlier claim: Although stuttering ultimately reflects impairment in speech sensorimotor processes, its course over the life span is strongly conditioned by linguistic and emotional factors. Results: Our current account places primary emphasis on the dynamic developmental context in which stuttering emerges and follows its course during the preschool years. Rapid changes in many neurobehavioral systems are ongoing, and critical interactions among these systems likely play a major role in determining persistence of or recovery from stuttering. Conclusion: Stuttering, or childhood onset fluency disorder (\"Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders,\" 5th edition; American Psychiatric Association [APA], 2013), is a neurodevelopmental disorder that begins when neural networks supporting speech, language, and emotional functions are rapidly developing. The multifactorial dynamic pathways theory motivates experimental and clinical work to determine the specific factors that contribute to each child's pathway to the diagnosis of stuttering and those most likely to promote recovery.

• Publisher: American Speech-Language-Hearing Association
• Subject: Age of onset / Behavior / Brain Hemisphere Functions / Child Development / Childhood / Children / Clinical Diagnosis / Cognitive Psychology / Development and progression / Diagnostic and Statistical Manual / Diagnostic Tests / Disorders / Emotions / Environmental Influences / Epigenetics / Equations (Mathematics) / Feedback (Response) / Fluency / Genetics / Humans / Hypotheses / Integrated approach / Language Processing / Linguistics / Mathematical Formulas / Mathematical Models / Medical diagnosis / Mental disorders / Models, Biological / Motor Development / Neural networks / Neurobehavioral functioning / Neurodevelopmental disorders / Neuroimaging / Neurolinguistics / Physiological aspects / Physiology / Plate Tectonics / Preschool Children / Psychomotor Skills / Recovery / Social networks / Speech / Speech disorders / Speech Language Pathology / Speech Therapy / Stuttering / Stuttering - diagnostic imaging / Stuttering - genetics / Stuttering - physiopathology / Stuttering - psychology / Suprasegmentals / System theory / Systems Approach / Theory