Stuttering is a complex developmental disorder that affects the fluency of speech in children. While many children who stutter (CWS) recover spontaneously by adulthood, understanding the underlying mechanisms of stuttering remains a significant challenge for researchers and practitioners alike. A recent study titled Lexical priming of function words and content words with children who do, and do not, stutter, provides valuable insights into how lexical priming can influence speech fluency in CWS.
The Findings: Function Words vs. Content Words
The study explored how priming different components of a sentence—function words (FW) and content words (CW)—affects the fluency of speech in CWS compared to children who do not stutter (CWNS). The results indicated that both groups were more fluent after FW priming than CW priming. However, this effect was significantly greater for CWS. Additionally, after FW priming, CWS produced CWs with longer durations than CWNS.
Theoretical Implications: EXPLAN vs. Covert Repair Hypothesis
The findings are discussed in the context of two competing theories of stuttering: the covert repair hypothesis (CRH) and the EXPLAN theory. The CRH suggests that disfluencies arise from covert repairs of phonological errors before they are spoken. In contrast, the EXPLAN theory posits that disfluencies result from a mismatch between language planning and execution processes.
The study's results align more closely with the EXPLAN theory, suggesting that timing misalignments at the speech-language interface contribute to disfluencies. This challenges the CRH's notion that all disfluencies are due to phonological errors.
Practical Applications for Practitioners
The insights from this research can be instrumental for practitioners working with CWS. Here are some ways to apply these findings:
- Incorporate Lexical Priming: Use exercises that prime function words before content words to enhance fluency in speech therapy sessions.
- Focus on Timing: Help children develop better timing between planning and execution by practicing slower speech rates and pausing strategies.
- Differential Diagnosis: Use the differences in response to FW and CW priming to tailor interventions based on individual needs.
Encouraging Further Research
This study opens avenues for further exploration into the mechanisms underlying stuttering. Researchers are encouraged to delve deeper into the developmental aspects of stuttering and explore how different linguistic levels can be primed effectively in therapeutic settings.
The journey towards understanding and treating stuttering is ongoing. By integrating experimental findings with clinical practice, we can move closer to providing effective interventions for children who stutter.
To read the original research paper, please follow this link: Lexical priming of function words and content words with children who do, and do not, stutter.
