[Stuttering: effects of genes and early treatment]

As stuttering by most persons resolves after a time, an initial wait-and-see policy has been maintained up to now. Two recent important developments in the area of stuttering have occurred: the discovery of gene mutations that appear to be of relevance to the developmental-neurological abnormality and growing evidence that early intervention helps recovery. The mutated genes found are GNPTAB, GNPTG and NAGPA. They are involved in lysosomal decomposition. Published study results show that early treatment using either the Demands and Capacities Model (indirect treatment aimed at the child's surroundings) or the Lidcome Programme (behavioural therapy based on operant conditioning) results in recovery from stuttering in most children. It is now being recommended that 6-12 months are allowed to pass under supervision to see whether the child is leaning toward natural recovery or, if that does not occur, to initiate specific therapy.