Written by the Fiveable Content Team โข Last updated September 2025
Verified for the 2026 exam
Verified for the 2026 examโขWritten by the Fiveable Content Team โข Last updated September 2025
Definition
Stuttering is a speech disorder characterized by disruptions in the normal flow of speech, including repetitions, prolongations, or blocks of sounds or words.
Related terms
Speech Therapy: A form of treatment that helps individuals improve their communication skills and overcome difficulties related to stuttering through various techniques.
Secondary Behaviors: Actions or reactions that an individual with stuttering might develop as a response to their speech disfluencies, such as avoiding eye contact or using filler words.
Fluency Shaping Techniques: Strategies used in therapy to promote smoother and more fluent speech patterns, often involving slower rates of speaking and controlled breathing techniques.