What is Considered Disfluent Speech?

Disfluent speech can be defined as any disruption to the pattern of fluent speech production. 

Disfluencies can affect rate, smoothness, flow, and or effort of speech. Disfluent speech can be demonstrated through the following stuttering presentations: 

Repetitions - repeating parts of sounds

Prolongations - stretching out a sound

Blocks: inability to produce a sound or continue airflow

What is Considered “Normal” ?

When children begin to talk and explore language, disfluencies WILL occur!

It is considered normal for your preschooler to stutter from time to time. Primarily, disfluencies will consist of whole word and part word repetitions 

Example One: “Where-where-where is it”

Example Two: “S-s-s-sometimes”

Frequency and Severity of Stutters May Vary

Your child’s occurrence of stutters can vary from utterance to utterance

How YOU Can Help at Home:

Do not draw attention to disfluencies

Model fluent speech patterns

Reduce your rate of speech

Speak in short and simple sentences

Continue to encourage communication 

Contact a Speech-Language Pathologist 

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