Understanding Speech Fluency and Stuttering

What Is Fluency of Speech?

Fluency of speech refers to how smoothly a person speaks. Typically, speech flows naturally without interruptions. However, when speech becomes disrupted, it is called a "disfluency." Disfluency can make talking more challenging and can be a sign of a speech issue, such as stuttering.

What Does Disfluency Look Like?

Disfluencies can manifest in various ways, including:

- Repeating sounds, syllables, or words – such as saying "ba-ba-ba-ball"

- Prolonging sounds – holding onto a sound for too long, like saying “ssssssun”

- Speech blocks – getting stuck on a sound that doesn’t come out, known as a "block"

When we think of speech fluency challenges, stuttering is a common concern. If you notice these types of difficulties in your child’s speech, speech therapy can be a valuable tool to help improve fluency and boost confidence.

Could Speech Therapy Help with Fluency of Speech?

If your child or loved one repeats sounds, syllables, words, or phrases, they might benefit from speech therapy to help with fluency of speech. Speech therapy can support both children and adults in improving smooth, easy communication.