Theoretical approximations of stuttering adaptation

The role of adaptation in the development of stuttering theory and therapy has been one of particular influence and importance. Stuttering adaptation has probably been utilized in more research studies in stuttering than has any other single phenomenon, not only as the subject of direct investigation but also as a tool with which to obtain some measure or statement of stuttering severity. While adaptation has been utilized to support a diverse and large assortment of hypotheses about stuttering, any theories which are based, at least in part, on adaptation have little empirical support, but rather are founded upon assumed variables of this phenomenon.The present paper will develop a discussion of some empirically and theoretically based interpretations of stuttering adaptation and its parameters. The major points which will be covered include frequency continuums, proportionality, definitions, and a table of stuttering approximations. Stuttering adaptation will be considered to be a response, the parameters of which are ordered, definable and predictable. The theoretical concepts presented are based, in part, on data obtained from 130 subjects over the last four years.