What Is a Fluency Disorder?

Nearly everyone pauses, stumbles or stutters sometimes when they speak. Most people use a favorite filler word such as "uh," "um" or "like." Fluency disorders can cause these symptoms to happen more often and are easier to notice. Someone with a fluency disorder might seem quiet or shy. They may not want to speak.

What Are Disorders of Fluency?

Fluency means ease, flow and rhythm of speaking. Someone with a fluency disorder usually knows what they want to say. But they may have a hard time saying their thoughts out loud.

Fluency disorder is different from other related conditions:

• Speech sound disorders. These disorders focus on how words sound rather than smoothness.
• Language disorders. These focus on a grasp of language.
• Voice disorders. These disorders have to do with pitch, volume and quality.

The Main Types of Fluency Disorders

Here are some of the most common fluency disorders:

• Stuttering. When someone stutters, they tend to get "stuck" on a word or part of a word. They repeat sounds or entire words. They can also stretch out sounds in a word.
• Cluttering. When someone displays cluttering, they often speak fast and blend words together. This can be hard for others to hear and understand.
• Childhood-onset fluency disorder. When a young child has a fluency disorder. Usually, this happens between ages 2 and 6. This disorder can be temporary or last into adulthood.
• Acquired fluency disorder. This is when a person develops a fluency disorder after childhood. The cause of the disorder can be a stroke or brain injury. It can also be another condition that affects the brain or nervous system.

These types of disorders can develop together. Those with acquired disorders should see a speech-language pathologist to check for other causes.

How Do I Know If I Have a Fluency Disorder?

The best way to know if you have a fluency disorder is to see a Baptist Health speech-language pathologist. However, there are signs of a disorder you can notice yourself.

Common signs to look for can include:

• Repeating sounds
• Repeating words
• Holding sounds
• Struggle speaking
• Physical tension
• Avoiding words
• Avoiding speaking
• Embarrassment speaking

When someone has a fluency disorder, you can often see it and hear it. You might see facial expressions or other behaviors that show struggle with speaking. There is no one known cause of fluency disorders. Genes and family history can play a role.

When to Seek Help

Seek help if your symptoms last for longer than six months, come on suddenly or get worse over time. Fluency disorders are usually treatable. Specific treatment depends on your age, family history and health. The type and how serious it is also matters.

For more information, please reach out to your Baptist Health speech language pathologist. If you do not have a provider, you can find one by visiting our provider directory.