Theory and science in communication disorders

The role of theory and of science for communication disorders is discussed. It is argued that communication disorders is a unique discipline, committed to the understanding and remediation of disordered communication, but that it is also fully invested in the theories and paradigms that inform all of behavioral science, and so it is inappropriate to expect it to generate its own theories. Theory contributes to research and to therapy in communication disorders, and we discuss the ways in which our discipline can make rational use of theory for both enterprises.