The mirror neuron question
This may be as much a question as a postulation. I'm not an expert on mirror neurons; you'll see that I'm struggling to understand.
Mirror neurons have been suggested in reference to the successful use of the SpeechEasy device. It is my understanding that mirror neurons are used as the young child is imitating sounds and words or phrases, but their use is discontinued when the child has intuited the rules of language to create (not imitate) generally correct (syntax, semantics, etc.) sentences, which is around age three.
As a result of this transition to a new/parallel neuron pathway, the mirror neurons have no memory of stuttering. The concept seems reasonable and extremely exciting if, indeed, we know how to access the mirror neurons.
The SpeechEasy device is said to be passive inhibition of stuttering by accessing/using mirror neurons. However, the device imitates (via echo) the individual's speech. If the stutterer continues to stutter (albeit less) or begins to regress, are the mirror neurons being taught about stuttering, or taught TO stutter?
I dare not discount the number of stutterers who find absolutely energizing results during the initial evaluation (for SpeechEasy device candidacy) of two- to four hours. Indeed, it can be and often is a joyful, tearful, family-hug time (SLP included). In fact, in my experience these patients seem to have the fewest setbacks, if any.
My question, then, is about those who find a very acceptable increase in ease of speaking and a very acceptable degree of decrease in stuttering. Without considerable emphasis on and comprehension of first seeking ease of speaking (giving up the struggle) and allowing easy ("natural") stuttering, wouldn't the stutterer reflexively rely on the amygdala (fight or flight center) to be the first responder?
Is it possible to take any age stutterer back to early imitation and on to spontaneity and in this way access and use the mirror neurons that do not know stuttering? Or can we do the same by a paradigm shift of stuttering without struggle or struggling naturally (i.e., not fearing stuttering) using the presently used neural pathway?
In my own clinical experience I have attempted the latter with very rapid success with college-age students and even some early elementary school-aged children who are able to "allow" themselves to think very differently (paradigm shift). Can we identify this personality type?
These, to me, are important questions (or possibly I am totally missing the mark here)!
