The other Fluency disorder: Cluttering

Cluttering is another fluency disorder but not as common as stuttering. The speech is literally “cluttered’ with faulty phrasings, repetitions and interjections. The person with cluttering is often not aware of any communication difficulties. People who clutter often speak at a more rapid rate than normal, speak irregularly and often stumble about trying to impart meaning to their conversation topic. Poor attention span, disorganised thinking and hyperactivity can co-occur, especially in children

Stuttering versus cluttering:

Cluttering is often compared to stuttering, and extreme cases of both can sound very similar. 

An example that Dr. St. Louis gives of both is:

Cluttering: "I want to go to the st...uh...place where you buy...market st-st-store and I don't have muh-muh ti-ti-time money."

Stuttering: "I want to go to the sssssssssstore and I don't have muh-muh- muh-muh-money."

A person who clutter tends to

· Talks better under stressful situations

· Talks better on longer sentences

· Talks better in an unfamiliar language

· Talks worse when topic is familiar

· Is unaware of any speech problem

How to Help people with Cluttering

· Create self-awareness of the Fluency problem

· Reduce their speech rate

· Improve their articulation

· Maintain a steady volume

· Help them self-monitor their speech

With appropriate professional help and strategies cluttering can be effectively treated and fluency achieved.