The effects of perceiving and producing syllabic repetitions on stuttering frequency in adults
Poster

Tim Saltuklaroglu
Communication Sciences and Disorders, East Carolina University

Vikram Dayalu
Communication Sciences and Disorders, East Carolina University

Joseph Kalinowski
Communication Sciences and Disorders, East Carolina University

     Abstract ID Number: 60
     Full text: Not available
     Last modified: May 13, 2003

Abstract
Consistent with the notion of an innate link between speech perception and production, this study provides compelling evidence for the suppression of stuttering prior to speaking by seeing and hearing another person produce pseudostuttering (stutter-like syllabic repetitions), as well as actively shadowing pseudostuttering and fluent speech. Stuttering frequency was measured in ten adults following passive audiovisual presentation and active production of both pseudostuttering and fluent speech. Compared to a control condition, both active tasks and the passive perception of syllabic repetitions induced approximately 40% stuttering reduction. Reading following the passive perception of fluent speech showed no significant fluency enhancement. As syllabic repetitions can be used to inhibit stuttering both when produced and perceived, it is suggested that these elementary forms of stuttering are the best compensatory speech gestures for releasing the system from involuntary stuttering blocks. The possible role of the mirror neuronal system in mediating this block release is discussed.