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CSD 4200
Introduction to Fluency Disorder

Cindy S. Spillers, Ph.D.
Spring 2009

rainbow line

Course Outline

First Day Questions

Day 1

Unit I

Defining Fluency, Disfluency, and Stuttering

Week 1-3


A.

 Defining stuttering

B.

 Defining fluency

C.

 Distinguishing stuttering from non-stuttering

D.

 Stuttering as a communication disorder


Video:

 "An Overview of Stuttering"

Readings:

Silverman 1
Starkweather Ch. 2 "Dimensions of Fluent Speech" [Questions for reading]

 

 Unit II

The Phenomenology of Stuttering

Week 4-5


A.

Overt Features

B.

Covert Features

C.

Physiological Concomitants

D.

Consistency and Adaptation

E.

Variations in Stuttering Severity


Video:

"Americans Who Stutter: Speaking Your Mind"

Readings:

Silverman 2

 

Unit III

The Person Who Stutters

Week 6-7


A.

Incidence and Prevalence of Stuttering

B.

Psychological Characteristics

C.

Self-Concept and Stuttering

D.

Social Consequences of Disabilities


Video:

"Danny and the Scatman"
"Voice in Exile"

Readings:

Silverman 3
Kuster, et al.  "Extraordinary people who stutter"

Unit IV

The Development of Fluency and Stuttering in Children

Week 8-10


A.

Development of Fluency

B.

Onset of Stuttering

C.

Development of Stuttering


Video:

 "Identifying the Danger Signs"
"Alan Rabinowitz:  Key Note Address to the Stuttering Foundation"

Readings:


Silverman 4
Starkweather Ch 4, "
The development of fluency..."
  [Questions for reading]
Yairi, "On the gender factor..."

 

Unit V

The Etiology of Stuttering

Week 11-13


A.

Introduction

B.

Predisposing Factors that Cause a Child to be at Risk

C.

Theories of What Precipitates Stuttering

D.

What Keeps Stuttering Going Once it Begins

E.

Putting it All Together


Video:

 "Transcending Stuttering "



Readings:

Genetics:








Brain differences:





Temperament:

Silverman  5

Drayna," Genetic research on stuttering. "
Drayna, " New clues into stuttering may be found in genes."
Drayna, " New light on genetic factors."
Drayna, " Studies in a unique community give new insights..."
Drayna, " Recent developments highlight..."
Yairi,  " Genetics of stuttering:  New developments."
Scott,  " A look at genetic and neurological correlates of stuttering."

Foundas, " Are the brains of people who stutter different?"
Kroll and DeNil, " Neural bases of stuttering...
"
Foundas, " Atypical cerebral laterality..."
Foundas, " DAF in stuttering..."
Alm, " Stuttering and the basal ganglia."

Alm, "Neurological incidents as background... "

 

Scott,  "Communication disorders and temperament. "

 

Unit VI

Popular and Historic Beliefs About Stuttering

Week 14-15


A.

Views of Stuttering in Popular North American Culture

B.

Views of Stuttering in Other Cultures

C.

Historical "Learned" Beliefs about Stuttering

D.

Connecting Historical Beliefs with Present Day Ideas


Video:

"Porky Pig"

Readings:






Silverman 5, pp. 118-128
Johnson, " A Clinical Study of Porky Pig Cartoons."
St. Louis, Kenneth, " A Global Project to Measure Public Attitudes About Stuttering."
Public perceptions project 2001
Public perceptions project 2002

The University of Minnesota is an equal opportunity educator and employer.
©2009 Cindy S. Spillers. For concerns about this course contact the instructor at cspiller@d.umn.edu