Stuttering, Motor Control in

In 1951, speech scientist Robert Stetson noted that human speech results from movement patterns made audible. Speech is, in fact, a continuous series of complex skilled movements, and the exquisite coordination of many muscle groups is required to achieve fluency. The process by which the brain conceptualizes a movement, develops a motor plan, activates muscles, coordinates muscle interactions and timing, and responds to feedback is referred to as motor control, with motor reflecting movement. Motor skill is a general term relating to the ability to develop, with practice, efficient movements that accurately and reliably achieve movement goals. Many researchers have proposed that people who stutter (PWS) show decreased motor skill development and/or capability when compared to their typically fluent peers, specifically when presented with increased ...