cluttering

Cluttering is a fluency disorder characterized by unusually rapid and/or irregular speech that is difficult to understand. People who clutter may speak with a high rate, slurred articulation, or incomplete sounds, and their speech often lacks clear rhythm and prosody. In addition to sound and rate issues, cluttering frequently involves disorganized language, excessive coarticulation, frequent revisions, and difficulties arranging thoughts for speaking.

Core features commonly observed in cluttering include a fast or uneven speech rate, speech that sounds mumbled or unclear, frequent hesitations or revisions, and reduced awareness of communication problems. Writing and reading can also be affected, with disorganized written work or spelling and grammar difficulties, reflecting broader language processing challenges. Many individuals who clutter are unaware of the problem, which can hinder help-seeking and intervention.

Cluttering is distinct from, though it can co-occur with, stuttering. Stuttering typically presents with sound repetitions, prolongations, and blocks, whereas cluttering centers on rate control, articulation, and linguistic organization. Coexisting conditions such as attention problems, learning disabilities, language impairment, or ADHD are more commonly reported in cluttering, suggesting a broader neurodevelopmental profile. Diagnosis is typically made by a speech-language pathologist through comprehensive speech and language assessment, including speech rate, intelligibility, language samples, and functional communication impact.

Treatment focuses on increasing awareness and teaching strategies to improve fluency and intelligibility. Common approaches include rate reduction techniques, deliberate pacing, pausing, segmentation of speech, breathing modifications, and explicit practice to enhance articulation and organization of language. Therapy often involves home practice and may address coexisting conditions. With targeted therapy, many individuals experience improved clarity and communication effectiveness, though ongoing practice is often required.