Fluency 

A fluency disorder (“stuttering”) is characterized by disruptions in smoothness, rhythm, and continuity of sounds, syllables, words or language during speaking. All speakers experience dysfluent speech on occasion. The dysfluencies become a disorder when the number and type of dysfluencies interfere with communication. The most common types of dysfluencies are:

    Prolongations (a drawing out a sound or syllable)
    Repetitions (repeating a sound, syllable, word or phrase)
    Blocks (unable to make the intended sound)

Often a person who stutters will also experience “secondary behaviours” that occur during the dysfluency such as:
• reduced eye contact,

• hand or arm movements,

• facial grimaces,

• lip tension, and

 • other facial movements

If a person experiences dysfluency over a period of time, he may feel anxious and emotionally challenged during communication. Therapy focuses on reducing and controlling the dysfluencies, as well as discussing the individual’s attitudes toward their dysfluencies. Early results may be seen when dysfluencies, secondary behaviours and attitudes/emotions are addressed properly. Continued therapy helps the individual manage and control speech to gain and maintain fluency.