Fluency Disorders

Speech Avenue - Pediatric Speech Pathology Clinic in Tustin, CA

Supporting the Flow of Confident, Connected Speech

Fluency disorders affect the natural rhythm and flow of speech. Children with a fluency disorder may speak with noticeable hesitations, repetitions, or interruptions that make it harder for them to express their thoughts smoothly.

These challenges can feel frustrating—for both the child and their listeners—and may affect social interactions, classroom participation, and self-esteem.

The two main types of fluency disorders are stuttering and cluttering.

What Are Fluency Disorders

What Is Stuttering?

Stuttering may involve:

Repeating sounds, syllables, or whole words (e.g., “I-I-I want that”)
Prolonging sounds (e.g., “Sssssoup”)
Speech blocks—when the child tries to speak but nothing comes out
Tension or visible effort while speaking

Some children also show physical signs of struggle, such as facial tension or blinking.

What Is Cluttering?

Cluttering is less common and may include:

Speaking very quickly or in bursts
Blending or “mushing” words together
Skipping syllables or using lots of filler words (e.g., “um,” “like,” “you know”)
Trouble organizing thoughts while talking

Children who clutter may not always realize their speech is hard to follow.

Our Focus

Dedicated Approach to Early Support

Personalized Attention

Engaging Methods

Therapy Tools

What Causes Fluency Disorders?

The exact cause of stuttering isn’t always clear. Research suggests that genetics, brain development, and motor planning may all play a role. Some children have a family history of stuttering. Others may begin to stutter following a stressful or emotionally significant experience, while many develop fluency challenges without any identifiable reason.

Fluency disorders can also be:

Developmental (beginning in early childhood)
Acquired (following a brain injury or neurological condition—less common in children)

How Fluency Disorders Can Affect Daily Life

When speech feels difficult, children may:

Avoid speaking in class or social settings
Become self-conscious or anxious about talking
Struggle to express ideas clearly
Lose confidence in their ability to communicate

Early support can help reduce these emotional impacts and empower children to speak more freely.

👩‍⚕️ How Speech Therapy Can Help

Fluency therapy is personalized, supportive, and focused on building both speech skills and self-confidence.

Therapy goals may include:

Building confidence and resilience in communication—regardless of whether stuttering is present
Supporting emotional well-being and reducing anxiety around speaking

When appropriate, we may also focus on:

Increasing awareness of speech patterns in a supportive, pressure-free environment
Practicing strategies to ease repetitions, reduce tension, or manage speaking rate
Learning how to pause and breathe comfortably during speech

We may also explore family-friendly strategies to support your child at home—like using slower, relaxed speech and modeling patience during conversations.

👧 A Whole-Child Approach

We understand that fluency challenges can be as much about emotions as they are about speech.

Our therapy approach is designed to support both the emotions that often come with stuttering and, when appropriate, the physical aspects of speech.

With the right guidance, children can learn to speak with greater ease, express themselves more confidently, and feel good about using their voice—whether they stutter or not.

7 Tips for Talking with Your Child

Slow things down. Speak in an unhurried, relaxed way, and pause often. After your child finishes talking, wait a moment before you respond. Your calm, steady pace is more helpful than saying things like “slow down” or “say it again.”
Ask fewer questions. Instead of asking lots of questions, try commenting on what your child says. This helps keep the conversation natural and pressure-free.
Focus on the message, not the speech. Show your child you’re truly listening—through your facial expressions, eye contact, and body language. Let them know you care more about what they’re saying than how they’re saying it.
Create one-on-one time. Set aside a few quiet minutes each day to give your full attention. These calm, connected moments can build confidence and trust—especially for younger children.
Model turn-taking. Encourage everyone in the family to take turns talking and listening. Fewer interruptions make it easier for children (especially those who stutter) to express themselves.
Notice your own interactions. Pay attention to the moments when your child feels truly heard. Try to create more of those moments—where they know they have time and space to talk.
Show acceptance. Let your child know you love and support them exactly as they are. Whether they stutter or not, your acceptance is one of the most powerful messages you can give.

“7 Tips” are Adapted from work by Barry Guitar, Ph.D. (University of Vermont) and Edward G. Conture, Ph.D. (Vanderbilt University)