Fluency Disorders

Fluency disorders are speech conditions that affect a person's ability to speak smoothly and at a natural pace. The most common example is stuttering, where individuals may have repetitions of sounds, prolongations, or blocks in speech. These interruptions can cause frustration and anxiety for the speaker. Fluency disorders can occur in childhood but may persist into adulthood. While the exact causes are not fully understood, factors may include genetics, neurophysiology, and environmental influences. Treatment often involves speech therapy, which helps individuals develop effective communication skills and manage their speech fluency.