Fluency Disorders & Treatment
Read the first two sections here. The other 10 sections and 12 key terms open with a paid plan.
FluencyFree preview
Audio edition, 15 min. Included with a plan, with the other audio guides.
Create an accountHear a free preview
Treatment choices rest on three things: what is stuttering and what is not, who is likely to persist, and what the speaker and family want to change. Full assessment is in Fluency Assessment Across the Life Span and Stuttering Assessment & Counseling; cluttering, neurogenic and psychogenic stuttering are in Cluttering & Atypical Fluency Disorders.
Stuttering vs. Cluttering vs. Normal Disfluency
| Feature | Stuttering | Cluttering | Normal (typical) disfluency |
|---|---|---|---|
| Core behaviors | Sound/syllable (part-word) repetitions, monosyllabic whole-word repetitions, prolongations, blocks | Rate perceived as too fast, too irregular, or both, plus at least one of: excessive typical disfluencies, collapsed or deleted syllables, abnormal pauses, stress or rhythm | Multisyllabic whole-word repetitions, phrase repetitions, revisions, interjections |
| Tension | Often present, not required; may be absent near onset | Usually little | None |
| Awareness | Variable: may be absent near onset; tends to grow with age and experience; negative reactions can begin in preschool | Often reduced (common, not required) | Usually unconcerned |
| Secondary behaviors | Often develop (eye blinks, head movements, avoidance); not required | Uncommon | None |
| Rate | Often typical between stuttering moments | Too fast or irregular for the speaker's own system | Typical |
| Temporary improvement with | Choral reading, singing, slowed rate | Attention to rate and clarity | Declines with development |
| Onset | Usually 2 to 4 years | Often recognized at school age or later | Common from 2 to 5 years |
High-Yield: Stuttering = sound/syllable repetitions, monosyllabic whole-word repetitions, prolongations and blocks. Tension, secondary behaviors and awareness often develop but are not required, so their absence does not rule out stuttering. Typical disfluency = multisyllabic whole-word and phrase repetitions, revisions and interjections, without tension. Cluttering = rate perceived as too fast, irregular or both, plus at least one supporting feature; reduced awareness is common but not part of the definition.
The rest of this outline 10
- Causes, Theories & Co-occurring Conditions
- Stuttering Assessment
- Treatment Approaches: Preschool
- Treatment Approaches: School-Age & Adults
- School-Age Service Delivery
- Transfer, Maintenance & Relapse
- Outcome Measurement
- Counseling & Affective Components
- Common Traps
- Sources to Know
Free account
Start with free study previews
The other 10 sections and 12 key terms with definitions open with a paid plan. A free account keeps the placement quiz, the free previews and 5 practice questions a day.
Related outlines
Disclaimer: Praxis is a registered trademark of Educational Testing Service (ETS). SLP Study Hub is not affiliated with or endorsed by ETS or ASHA. This outline is original educational content written for SLP Study Hub and aligned to the publicly available Praxis 5331 test blueprint.