Understanding Stuttering, Cluttering and Fluency Challenges
Fluency disorders are communication disorders that affect the flow, rhythm and ease of speech. They can make it difficult for a person to speak smoothly and confidently, often disrupting daily communication and social interactions.
The two most common types of fluency disorders are:
- Stuttering—frequent disruptions in the flow of speech, such as repetitions (e.g., “I-I-I want”), prolongations (e.g., “Ssssssometimes”) or blocks (when no sound comes out)
- Cluttering—fast or irregular speech that may sound disorganized or hard to understand
Fluency challenges can affect people of all ages. While some children may go through short phases of non-fluent speech, persistent or severe disfluency may signal a fluency disorder that needs professional support.
Signs of a Fluency Disorder
In children:
- Repeating sounds, syllables or words frequently (e.g., “ba-ba-banana”)
- Stretching out sounds (e.g., “ssssun”)
- Pausing or getting “stuck” on certain words
- Tension in the face or body while trying to speak
- Avoiding certain words or situations
- Speech that is too fast, mumbled or disorganized (cluttering)
In adults and teens:
- Ongoing difficulty with speech flow since childhood (stuttering or cluttering)
- Avoiding speaking in public or certain social situations
- Increased anxiety or frustration when speaking
- Struggle to maintain a clear, organized message
- Changes in fluency following brain injury or neurological illness (less common)
When To Seek Help
It’s time to reach out to a specialist if:
- Your child’s stuttering lasts more than 6 months, gets worse or causes distress
- A child begins to avoid talking, shows frustration or becomes self-conscious
- An adult is avoiding speaking at work, school or socially due to fluency challenges
- You notice physical tension or struggle during speech
- Fluency disruptions are interfering with confidence, participation or quality of life
How We Help
At the Center for Hearing and Speech, our licensed speech-language pathologists provide individualized support for people of all ages who experience fluency disorders.
Our services include:
- Comprehensive fluency assessments
- Therapy for stuttering and cluttering, tailored to age and goals
- Education and support for families and caregivers
- Strategies to manage speech tension and anxiety
- Collaboration with educators, mental health professionals and other providers when needed
- Focus on building confidence, communication skills and self-advocacy
We understand that fluency is about more than just how you talk—it’s about how you feel when you speak.
Take the First Step Toward Confident Communication
Fluency therapy isn’t about “perfect” speech—it’s about empowering individuals to speak freely, comfortably and effectively in their daily lives. Whether you’re a parent concerned about your child’s speech or an adult looking for support, we’re here to help.
Call Center for Hearing & Speech at (314) 968-4710 for more information or to schedule an appointment.
