Fluency refers to the smoothness, rate, and effort of speech production. Fluency disorders, such as stuttering and cluttering, are characterized by disruptions like repetitions, prolongations, and blocks. SLPs assess fluency to identify the type and severity of dysfluency. Treatment may include techniques to enhance speech flow and address associated emotional factors. Improving fluency is vital for effective communication and social interaction.
Bloodstein, O., and Bernstein Ratner, N. A Handbook on Stuttering. 6th ed. Delmar Cengage Learning, (2008).
Packman, A. "Fluency Disorders." In Handbook of Clinical Linguistics, edited by M. J. Ball, F. E. Gibbon, and C. Code, (2012).
