Stuttering: Beyond Disfluencies

Abstract

Rather than focusing on research topics that are in vogue at a particular points in time (e.g., kinematics in the 1980's), we need to accept a variety of perspectives . . . . Knowledge about all aspects of stuttering should be our goal, and our focus should be based on our clients' needs . . . .- Quesal (1989, p. 163) In this issue of Topics in Language Disorders, Guest Issue Editor, Dr. Amanda Hampton Wray, invited authors to highlight important current topics related to stuttering, with a particular emphasis on highlighting issues beyond dysfluencies. As guest editor, she carefully crafted this issue to cover multiple aspects of stuttering from research and theoretical updates, to considerations for therapeutic approaches, and finally to an intervention study with preliminary results.First, Brundage and Bernstein Ratner (2022) share a research update on the important interaction between language and stuttering, emphasizing that stuttering should be considered beyond only speech production. Next, Usler (2022) discusses the role of cognition in some aspects of stuttering, with particular emphasis on the experience of stuttering. Lescht et al. (2022) further explore aspects of linguistics and stuttering within their article about novel word learning. Then, Tichenor et al. (2022) highlight the importance of understanding the experience of people who stutter. Finally, Byrd et al. (2022) share preliminary results from their communication effectiveness intervention for adults who stutter. In summary, Hampton Wray (2022) and the authors of this issue provide anThe authors have indicated that they have no financial and no nonfinancial relationships to disclose.