Speech dysfluency

Definition

Speech dysfluency is characterised by the frequent or pervasive disruption of the rhythmic flow of speech that arises subsequent to the developmental period (i.e., adult onset) and is outside the limits of normal variation and results in reduced intelligibility and significantly affects communication. It can involve repetitions of sounds, syllables or words, prolongations, word breaks, blockage of production, excessive use of interjections, and rapid short bursts of speech.

Exclusions

• Developmental language disorder
• Developmental speech or language disorders
• Developmental speech fluency disorder
• Dysarthria
• Selective mutism
• childhood onset stammering
• childhood onset stuttering
• childhood onset cluttering
• childhood-onset speech fluency disorder

Index Terms