There are types of dysfluencies that are normal developmental processes and others that are more abnormal and atypical. Stuttering
Stuttering is the most common dysfluency disorder. it is an interruption in the flow of speaking characterized by repetitions, sound prolongations, and blocks that change the rhythm of sleep. A disturbance in the normal fluency and time patterning of speech that is inappropriate for the age of the person. Stuttering typically has its origins in childhood. Most who stutter will begin to do so around 2.5 years of age. Approximately 95% of children who stutter will start to do so before the age of 5. Stuttering symptoms may include dysfluencies such as hesitations, word fillers, nonword fillers, silent pauses, and interjections. All very similar to developmental dysfluency symptoms. Less typical stuttering will include sound/syllable repetitions, prolongations, and blocks. Stuttering can also occur with other speech and sound disorders, and intellectual language disabilities. Stuttering can greatly interfere with school, work or social interactions. Children who stutter may also experience fear or anxiety about social settings or public speaking. Speech patterns and behaviors that might signal that a child is potentially going to develop a stuttering disorder can include within-word or part0word repetitions prolonged sounds, avoiding speaking situations, looking frustrated or upset and tense appearance in neck muscles.If stuttering is familial there is likely a genetic mutation that causes the disorder. Unlike the aforementioned typical dysfluencies, stuttering can be a result of genetics.
Children go through the same learning patterns while developing their first language as adults do when learning languages other than their native language.Although many adults display types of dysfluency, it is usually in relation to comprehending or expressing different materials under stress. Developmental dysfluency is a normal part of the acquisition of language. An individual may not be fluent in language due to frequent stuttering or as a result of neurogenic dysfunction. The origin of stuttering is not yet fully understood but parents/adults can mitigate the risk of developmental dysfluency by reducing the conversational demands on their child. Modeling slow, smooth speech and acknowledging the demanding and complex nature of learning language can help. Symptoms
Symptoms of developmental dysfluency include the repetition of sounds or pauses between words. These symptoms have generally been noted within children from 18 months to 5 years of age. This may persist for weeks or months but eventually disappears due to the maturation of the childs nervous system. Children with a family history of stuttering are more likely to develop the disorder than those without.ex. : "Mommy, I am, I am, um, I am..."
Usually, this language dysfluency is a transitional stage that most children will leave behind as they master oral communications. At this point, there is little to no need for any therapeutic intervention. The typical occurrence lies between the ages of 18 months and 7 years as children pass through stages of speech dysfluency as they learn how to talk.