What accounts for word-final dysfluencies?
The answer is unclear. Some features of word-final dysfluencies differ from the features of developmental stuttering, and may be governed by different factors. Subjects usually have not evidenced tension or struggle. Secondary behaviors are mentioned only by Mowrer (1987); his subject showed head movements. Because word-final dysfluencies have occurred independently in some cases, and have co-occurred with typical stuttering in other cases, it is possible that they are separate but related phenomena. The dysfluencies of the neurogenic stuttering patients have been attributed to their brain damage. Given the small number of reports, it is remarkable that word-final dysfluencies are noted in both neurogenic and developmental cases. Several explanations have been offered for word-final dysfluencies of developmental origin. Rudmin (1984) theorized that his daughter had a motor programming difficulty. Mowrer (1987) suggests two factors that may have affected his patient: the mother s attemp
