Overview of Articulation and Fluency Disorders

Abstract

Articulation and fluency disorders represent major categories of communication disorders. Although specific behavioral characteristics associated with articulation disorders are different from fluency disorders, commonalities exist in that both can (1) interfere with effective communication, (2) be manifested in the early years of development, and (3) cause frustrations and anxieties. Early identification and management are critical for remediation of articulation and fluency disorders. Articulation disorders comprise the large majority (65.5%) of patients seen by speech pathologists. Fluency disorders, however, represent only 3.2%.1