In the context of fluency management strategies, what is a significant benefit of using prolonged speech?

In the context of fluency management strategies, what is a significant benefit of using prolonged speech?

• A. It increases the overall speech rate significantly
• B. It significantly reduces part-word repetitions and sound prolongations
• C. It simplifies the treatment process for the clinician
• D. It serves to mask other speech disfluencies

Answer: (B)

Prolonged speech is a fluency management strategy that focuses on extending the duration of speech sounds and syllables to promote smoother and more fluent speech patterns. By teaching individuals to produce speech in a more controlled and deliberate manner, it helps to significantly reduce disfluencies such as part-word repetitions and sound prolongations. This technique allows the speaker to have more time to plan their speech, which can lead to enhanced fluency. As they practice producing longer and more sustained speech sounds, their overall ability to articulate words without hesitation can improve, thereby minimizing occurrences of interruptions and stuttering behaviors. This mechanism of promoting fluency through extended speech output is a core principle behind the effectiveness of this strategy in therapeutic settings. Using prolonged speech does not aim to increase the overall speech rate; in fact, it may seem counterintuitive as it often involves slowing down speech. It also does not inherently simplify the treatment process for clinicians, as effective implementation requires specialized techniques and monitoring. Furthermore, while some strategies exist that may redirect attention from disfluencies, prolonged speech is not primarily used for masking but rather for addressing the root of fluency concerns.

Prolonged speech is a fluency management strategy that focuses on extending the duration of speech sounds and syllables to promote smoother and more fluent speech patterns. By teaching individuals to produce speech in a more controlled and deliberate manner, it helps to significantly reduce disfluencies such as part-word repetitions and sound prolongations.

This technique allows the speaker to have more time to plan their speech, which can lead to enhanced fluency. As they practice producing longer and more sustained speech sounds, their overall ability to articulate words without hesitation can improve, thereby minimizing occurrences of interruptions and stuttering behaviors. This mechanism of promoting fluency through extended speech output is a core principle behind the effectiveness of this strategy in therapeutic settings.

Using prolonged speech does not aim to increase the overall speech rate; in fact, it may seem counterintuitive as it often involves slowing down speech. It also does not inherently simplify the treatment process for clinicians, as effective implementation requires specialized techniques and monitoring. Furthermore, while some strategies exist that may redirect attention from disfluencies, prolonged speech is not primarily used for masking but rather for addressing the root of fluency concerns.