- Email: [email protected]
A handbook on stuttering
J. FLUENCY DISORD. 9 (1984), 313-314
BOOK REVIEW A Handbook on Stuttering, Oliver Bloodstein,
National Easter Seal Society, Chicago, Illinois, Third Edition, 1981, 477 pages. Soft cover Reviewed by EINER BOBERG, PH.D. Dept of Speech Pathology and Audiology University of Alberta Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
In the 1975 edition of the Handbook on Stuttering, Bloodstein stated that his goal was to “fix the present boundaries of knowledge about stuttering.” Since that time, nearly 400 new studies have been published, which are included in the 1981 revision. In this edition, Bloodstein notes that as the research in stuttering expands beyond the capacity of a single volume the function of the Third Edition becomes “increasingly that of a guide to the literature for those who wish to study specific aspects of the subject on their own.” This book is divided into eight chapters. The first chapter, on symptomatology, deals with the difficulties inherent in defining and measuring stuttering. In the second chapter, Bloodstein organizes the myriad theories of stuttering into several manageable categories, such as theories of etiology versus concepts of the moment of stuttering. In Chapter 3 he reviews and summarizes the studies on prevalence and incidence of stuttering. The next chapter presents data on characteristics of the person who stutters, such as motor abilities, sensory and perceptual processes, intelligence, and personality. This is followed by a chapter dealing with characteristics of stuttering, such as frequency and distribution. In Chapter 6 Bloodstein reviews the material on early stuttering and normal disfluencies, distribution of early disfluencies and attributes of disfluent children. Bloodstein undertakes the formidable task of summarizing and integrating the current knowledge about stuttering in Chapter 7. He then proposes his own continuity hypothesis, wherein, stuttering is seen as a disorder of tension and fragmentation. In the final chapter, Bloodstein traces the development of treatment strategies, reviews the Iowa development, drug therapy, and behavior therapy. To help the reader gain 8 1984 by Elszvier 52Vanderbilt Ave..
Science Pubbrhing Co.. Inc. New York. NY 10017
313 0094-730x/84/$03.00
314
E. BOBERG
perspective on the effectiveness of therapy the author has assembled the results from 116 studies into one table. In the final summary section he recognizes the need for more attention to the long-term maintenance of fluency in order to prevent relapse. An excellent feature of the book is the 62 pages of references, which will serve as an invaluable aid for students and researchers. Although this list appears to be comprehensive there are curious omissions. A number of books, published during the last two decades, have not been included: Luper and Mulder, 1964; Shames and Egolf, 1976; Dalton and Hardcastle, 1977; Zwitman, 1978; Gregory, 1979. The inclusion of these important books would make the reference list even better. Another useful feature is the concise summaries at the end of major sections. The student will discover that these summaries encapsulate a mind-boggling quantity of information into a form that can be grasped by students wallowing in information overload. 1 have used the book as an introductory text for several years. Although the students sometimes grumble about the dry, austere style of writing they agree that the book is cognitively nourishing and capable of providing a comprehensive, balanced view of the disorder. Since the volume contains such a wealth of information I can also recommend it highly to advanced students and researchers. In summary, the third edition of the Handbook continues, in fact, “to fix the present boundaries of knowledge about stuttering.” By presenting such a balanced, objective and comprehensive review of the constantly expanding literature, Bloodstein offers students and researchers an opportunity to benefit from his monumental accomplishments and a firm basis for understanding this most complex of communication disorders.
BOOK REVIEW A Handbook on Stuttering, Oliver Bloodstein,
National Easter Seal Society, Chicago, Illinois, Third Edition, 1981, 477 pages. Soft cover Reviewed by EINER BOBERG, PH.D. Dept of Speech Pathology and Audiology University of Alberta Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
In the 1975 edition of the Handbook on Stuttering, Bloodstein stated that his goal was to “fix the present boundaries of knowledge about stuttering.” Since that time, nearly 400 new studies have been published, which are included in the 1981 revision. In this edition, Bloodstein notes that as the research in stuttering expands beyond the capacity of a single volume the function of the Third Edition becomes “increasingly that of a guide to the literature for those who wish to study specific aspects of the subject on their own.” This book is divided into eight chapters. The first chapter, on symptomatology, deals with the difficulties inherent in defining and measuring stuttering. In the second chapter, Bloodstein organizes the myriad theories of stuttering into several manageable categories, such as theories of etiology versus concepts of the moment of stuttering. In Chapter 3 he reviews and summarizes the studies on prevalence and incidence of stuttering. The next chapter presents data on characteristics of the person who stutters, such as motor abilities, sensory and perceptual processes, intelligence, and personality. This is followed by a chapter dealing with characteristics of stuttering, such as frequency and distribution. In Chapter 6 Bloodstein reviews the material on early stuttering and normal disfluencies, distribution of early disfluencies and attributes of disfluent children. Bloodstein undertakes the formidable task of summarizing and integrating the current knowledge about stuttering in Chapter 7. He then proposes his own continuity hypothesis, wherein, stuttering is seen as a disorder of tension and fragmentation. In the final chapter, Bloodstein traces the development of treatment strategies, reviews the Iowa development, drug therapy, and behavior therapy. To help the reader gain 8 1984 by Elszvier 52Vanderbilt Ave..
Science Pubbrhing Co.. Inc. New York. NY 10017
313 0094-730x/84/$03.00
314
E. BOBERG
perspective on the effectiveness of therapy the author has assembled the results from 116 studies into one table. In the final summary section he recognizes the need for more attention to the long-term maintenance of fluency in order to prevent relapse. An excellent feature of the book is the 62 pages of references, which will serve as an invaluable aid for students and researchers. Although this list appears to be comprehensive there are curious omissions. A number of books, published during the last two decades, have not been included: Luper and Mulder, 1964; Shames and Egolf, 1976; Dalton and Hardcastle, 1977; Zwitman, 1978; Gregory, 1979. The inclusion of these important books would make the reference list even better. Another useful feature is the concise summaries at the end of major sections. The student will discover that these summaries encapsulate a mind-boggling quantity of information into a form that can be grasped by students wallowing in information overload. 1 have used the book as an introductory text for several years. Although the students sometimes grumble about the dry, austere style of writing they agree that the book is cognitively nourishing and capable of providing a comprehensive, balanced view of the disorder. Since the volume contains such a wealth of information I can also recommend it highly to advanced students and researchers. In summary, the third edition of the Handbook continues, in fact, “to fix the present boundaries of knowledge about stuttering.” By presenting such a balanced, objective and comprehensive review of the constantly expanding literature, Bloodstein offers students and researchers an opportunity to benefit from his monumental accomplishments and a firm basis for understanding this most complex of communication disorders.