Is my child stuttering or cluttering?

Stuttering and cluttering both affect the smoothness or fluency of speech sounds.

Characteristics of stuttering include: 

• repetitions of sounds (e.g., "k-k-king") or parts of words (“some - some- something”)
• sounds that get longer (e.g., "ssssnake")
• sounds that get stuck (“k-.....ing”)
• tensions in the face and body associated with speech sounds 

Whereas, characteristics of cluttering tend to include:

• speaking too fast or in rapid bursts
• leaving out sounds of parts of words
• difficulty organising thoughts
• a tendency to interrupt people

If you're concerned about your child's speech, it's advisable to consult with a Speech and Language Therapist who can assess their speech and provide a diagnosis. 

If you need information about how to access your local speech and language therapy service, you can speak with our Support Hub Advisor.