Stuttering is a communication disorder in which the flow of speech is disrupted. There may also be unusual facial and body movements associated with the effort to speak.

When first learning to talk, many children have periods where their speech is not yet fluent or organized. If a child experiences stuttering for longer than six months, however, or if the stuttering is severe, therapy is recommended.
In general, it’s best to seek treatment as early as possible.

In adults, sudden onset of stuttering can indicate a medical problem and should always be evaluated by a physician.

Types of Dysfluencies:

Repetitions (li-li-like this)

Prolongations (lllllike this),

Abnormal stoppages (no sound) of sounds and syllables.
This often appears to listeners like you “can’t get your words out” or you’re “stuck”.

Fluency Goal Examples:

Learn strategies and techniques that increase the natural fluency of your speech and decrease dysfluencies.

Practice relaxation methods to help reduce anxiety, tension, and associated behaviours,
such as facial grimaces or tics (muscle spasm or twitch), that often accompany speech problems.

Confidence-building practices, such as role-playing or dramatic exercises.

Self-advocacy skills, such as self-disclosures about stuttering, educating others about stuttering,
and letting listeners know what you need from them.