Nonfluency refers to interruptions in the smooth, effortless flow of speech. These disruptions can manifest in various ways, including repetitions of sounds, syllables, or words; prolongations of sounds; blocks where no sound comes out; interjections like "um" or "uh"; and revisions or incomplete phrases. It's a term used broadly across different speech and language disorders, but is particularly central to stuttering and cluttering. The severity and type of nonfluencies vary significantly from person to person and even within the same individual depending on factors such as emotional state and speaking context.
Nonfluency meaning with examples
- During his presentation, John exhibited several instances of Nonfluency, including repeating the initial sound of words and pausing mid-sentence. This made it challenging for the audience to maintain their focus, as his speech lacked a natural rhythm. He also experienced a few instances of blocking. This Nonfluency was apparent when he was asked to read aloud.
- The child's Nonfluency presented as rapid, irregular speech with frequent interjections like 'um' and 'like'. Her parents observed these nonfluencies increased when she was excited. They began to wonder if it would interfere with their daughter's ability to communicate, or even form solid relationships. They sought a medical professional to help determine the cause of her speech disruption.
- In a counseling session, the therapist noted the client's Nonfluency, specifically identifying prolongations on certain vowel sounds as a primary concern. It was noted that certain emotions seemed to trigger or intensify these patterns. Further assessment would be needed to determine if they were associated with a speech disorder. The goal would be to explore potential coping mechanisms.
- A speech pathologist assessed a patient's communication skills, documenting instances of sound repetitions and blockages. They observed the patient struggled with both emotional expression and speech fluency, highlighting the correlation between his Nonfluency and his difficulty forming sentences. The assessment was needed to create a personalized therapy plan.