What type of disfluency can indicate a potential stuttering problem during an evaluation?

Sound prolongations are a significant type of disfluency that can indicate a potential stuttering problem during an evaluation. They occur when a speaker stretches or holds onto a sound longer than is typical. This can disrupt the flow of speech and may cause tension or discomfort. Prolongations are particularly relevant in the evaluation of fluency disorders because they often suggest a struggle or effort in speech production, a hallmark of stuttering.

Recognizing sound prolongations among other types of disfluencies is vital during assessments, as they are often associated with the motoric aspect of speech and can reveal underlying psychological or emotional responses to speaking. While repetitions and interjections may also occur in individuals who stutter, they are generally less indicative of a stuttering disorder than prolongations, which are strongly connected to the core behaviors of stuttering. Fluency breaks can occur in a variety of situations and are not exclusive to stuttering, making them less reliable as indicators of a stuttering problem.