What type of disorder is Stuttering classified as?

Stuttering is classified as a fluency disorder because it primarily affects the flow of speech. Individuals who stutter often experience disruptions in their normal speech patterns, which can include repetitions of sounds, syllables, or words, as well as prolonged sounds and involuntary pauses. These interruptions can impact not just the delivery of speech but also emotional and social aspects of communication.

Fluency disorders specifically deal with how smoothly and effortlessly speech is produced, which is precisely what stuttering entails. By understanding stuttering as a fluency disorder, educators and speech-language pathologists can focus on strategies that target improving fluency and enhancing communication skills for those affected. This classification allows for a clearer approach to intervention and support tailored to those with stuttering.