What characterizes a fluency disorder?

A fluency disorder is primarily characterized by disruptions in the flow of speech. This can manifest as bumpy and interrupted speech patterns, which may include repetitions of sounds or syllables, prolongations of sounds, or blocks where the speaker is unable to produce speech. These interruptions can significantly impact the speaker's ability to communicate effortlessly and can lead to frustration and anxiety surrounding speaking situations.

On the other hand, smooth and easy speech indicates typical fluency, while excessive pauses can occur in various speaking conditions but do not necessarily denote a fluency disorder on their own. Mispronunciation of words is more related to articulation issues rather than fluency. Thus, the essence of a fluency disorder lies specifically in the irregularities and interruptions that disrupt the natural flow of speech, making bumpy and interrupted speech the most representative characteristic.