| Category | Speeches |
A Fluency Disorder (e.g., stuttering/stammering or cluttering) is a disruption to the functional flow of speech. Stuttering can be characterized by frequent repetitions of speech sounds, syllables, words and/or phrases, prolongations of speech sounds, and blocks (feeling that a sound is “stuck”). A person who stutters may or may not show other behaviors such as blinking, head jerks, hand movements, etc., that further disrupt the natural flow of speech.
Assessment of Fluency Disorder includes an analysis of language samples that are obtained by a speech-language pathologist. This language sample is analyzed for the percentage of syllables stuttered, length of stuttering events, and types of stuttering patterns. The assessment also includes a thorough interview with the patient and/or parent to determine the overall impact of the Fluency Disorder on the patient’s quality of life.
The treatment approach varies based on the patient’s age and level of maturity. For younger children who stutter, treatment may include working with parents to facilitate fluency in the home environment. For older patients who have a better awareness of their stuttering, treatment may include strategies for achieving and maintaining fluency. A personalized program is developed to address affective, behavioral, and cognitive aspects of stuttering. Treatment may also include participation in group sessions scheduled with age-matched peers.
