Fluency
Fluency Disorders
A fluency disorder is an abnormal interruption in the flow of speech by repetitions or prolongations of a sound, or by avoidance and struggle behaviors. Stuttering occurs when a person says a sound or word more than once, or has difficulty getting speech to come out. ALL people have disfluent speech to some degree. Below are the different types of disfluencies.
Repetitions: Repeating part of a word, a whole word, or a phrase.
Prolongations: Stretching out a sound in a word for a long time.
Blocks: Difficulty getting a word or part of a word to come out.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is there a cure for stuttering?
No, there is no cure for stuttering, but strategies can be taught to help the speaker compensate or modify their speech to become more fluent.
What can I do to help my child at home?
The most important thing a parent can do is make sure their child knows that they are accepted no matter how fluent (or disfluent) their speech may be. Below are some suggested tips.
My child is learning fluency strategies. How can I help them practice?
- Speaking Games: Play speaking games with your child. Remind your child that they can take their time while they play. Reassure them that they have your full attention and you are listening. Some examples of speaking games include: HeadBandz, Guess Who, Go Fish, Telephone, Two Truths and a Lie, Guess My Word, etc.
- Family Dinner Time: Allow your child to speak freely at dinner about their day, questions they have, or simple comments they would like to make. Give your child your undivided attention, and try not to speak over them or for them.
- Taking-Turns: Practice taking conversational turns as a family. Try to limit interrupting your child. Teach other members of your family to practice good listening skills. With fewer interruptions and distractions, children who stutter are more likely to produce smooth speech.
- Daily Check-Ins: Talk with your child about their speech daily. Discuss times where they felt they had smooth speech and times that were more "bumpy." Reassure your child that you support them no matter how their speech sounds.
