Ontwikkeling van stotteren: Inleiding tot een praktijkmodel

This article serves as an introduction to the accompanying paper, in which a new clinical model of the origin and development of stuttering is presented (Oonk e.a., 2022). In their clinical practice, Dutch speech language pathologists still tend to use the clinical model proposed by Bertens (1994; 2017). This model explains stuttering as developing from a primary neuromuscular timing deficit, which manifests itself not only in speech, but in more general behaviour as well. In our opinion, this model needs to be updated and revised based on current scientific and clinical knowledge. There is little evidence for the general timing deficit in Bertens’ model and, moreover, several more fundamental factors, especially those related to genetics and neural processes, that have an important role in the onset of stuttering have been reported. This paper provides a review and summary of these recent data, and several newer models are described. An important aspect of these models is the importance given to processes of regulation and feedback. An exhaustive overview of the existing literature has not been strived for but it is hoped that this paper will serve as a useful introduction to the clinical model presented in the accompanying paper.