Stuttering and Cluttering

 

Fluent speech production includes steady continuity, smoothness, rate, and effort when speaking. Fluency disorders interrupt the steady forward flow of speech production. There are two main types of fluency disorders: stuttering and cluttering. 

 

Stuttering 

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Stuttering may include: 

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• Repetitions of syllables (Ni-ni-nice to meet you)

• Repetitions of words (nice-nice-nice to meet you)

• Prolongations of sounds (nnnnice to meet you)

• Inaudible blocks of airflow and sound (n---ice to meet you)

 

Characteristics associated with stuttering may include: 

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• Physical tension and struggle in their speech muscles 

• Secondary behaviors (e.g., eye blinking, head nodding, facial movements, raising pitch or volume, etc.)

• Negative reactions related to speaking

• Avoidance of speaking, certain words/sounds, or situations related to speaking

 

Cluttering

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Cluttering may include but is not limited to: 

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• Overall rapid speaking rate and/or bursts of rapid speech that is too fast for an individual’s system to handle 

• Unclear and/or disorganized speech or difficulty organizing thoughts

• Uncertainty of what one wants to say 

• “Telescoping”or “over-coarticulation”(blending) of syllables together in multisyllabic words (e.g., “elephant” “elphin”)

• Excessive interjections or “non-stuttering-like disfluencies” (e.g., “um,” “uh,” “ya know”)

• “Circumlocutions” or many stops and starts, repeating/revising phrases or words during speech

• No accompanied physical tension 

• Limited awareness of rapid rate

• Difficulty slowing rate, even when asked to do so 

• Communication breakdowns

 

As cluttering is less well-known, many people who clutter are often described as “stuttering,” and although the two disorders are related and can co-occur, they are two different disorders. It is important that you determine if stuttering and/or cluttering is impacting your speech so your speech-language pathologist can individually tailor skilled treatment approaches. 

 

How could speech therapy benefit me?

 

If you exhibit some of the above characteristics in your speech and experience difficulties conveying messages to others in a coherent/concise manner or lack confidence when speaking, we can help. If you would like to learn some strategies to increase your control and confidence when speaking with others, schedule your free consultation with us and see below for additional details on how you could benefit from speech therapy.

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We all have goals we want to achieve - that is why you are here seeking support. Maybe you have an important upcoming speech to give, a certain name that keeps getting stuck, or you would like to be more fluent over the phone or when meeting new people. Perhaps you would just like some tools to help increase your general confidence when speaking to other people. Your specific goals are the goals on which we will focus during treatment because we want your successes to be meaningful to you.

 

Treatment of Fluency Disorders:

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When treating fluency disorders, we will first determine whether stuttering and/or cluttering impacts your speech and discuss with you which individual challenges are impacting your overall fluency and ability to communicate most. We will then deliver various individualized treatment techniques in a safe and healing space where you can either learn to modify your speech directly to create smoother speech or indirectly to facilitate your ability to become an excellent communicator more holistically. 

 

Cascada Resilient Therapy believes that your fluency does not define your ability to be a resilient, confident and excellent communicator. It is our goal to help you understand your strengths while learning functional strategies to overcome the “rocks” and obstacles in your way. The way we address your treatment holistically will help you meet your goals and thrive in all of the areas where you feel you need support. We look forward to guiding you through a path of growth and resilience.  

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