SHS 470 FINAL EXAM QUESTIONS
AND ANSWERS WITH GRADED A+
SOLUTIONS, UPDATED 2026,
GUARANTEED SUCCESS
1. Cluttering
ANSWER: A fluency disorder of both speech and language processing. ✔✔
Cluttering is often more complex than stuttering because it involves a breakdown
in how the brain organizes thoughts before they are even spoken.
Characteristics of Cluttering:
Speech Quality: Rapid, non-rhythmic, unorganized, and often
unintelligible.
Rate: Excessively fast speech ("tachylalia").
Language Markers: False starts, incomplete sentences, and word retrieval
problems.
Self-Awareness: A hallmark of cluttering is no self-monitoring skills. The
person is typically unaware that their speech is difficult to understand and
may become frustrated when asked to repeat themselves.
2. Stuttering
ANSWER: An abnormally high frequency or duration of stops in the forward
flow of speech. ✔✔ Unlike cluttering, stuttering is primarily a motor-speech issue
rather than a language-organization issue.
Types of Disfluencies:
Repetitions: Sounds (b-b-ball), syllables (ta-ta-table), or whole words.
Prolongations: Stretching out a sound (sssssun).
Blocks: A complete stoppage of airflow or sound where the person appears
"stuck."
,When to Be Concerned: The 10% Rule
ANSWER: You should be concerned when a child is stuttering 10% of the
time. ✔✔
Why the 10% threshold matters:
Typical Disfluency: Most children go through a stage of "normal non-
fluency" between ages 2 and 5 as they learn complex grammar. They may
repeat words or use fillers (um, uh) in about 5% of their speech.
+1
Clinical Significance: When disfluencies reach 10% or more, it
significantly exceeds the norm.
Risk Factors: At this frequency, the child is at a higher risk for persistent
stuttering into adulthood, especially if the stuttering is accompanied by:
1. Secondary behaviors (eye blinking, facial tension).
2. Frustration or avoidance of speaking.
3. A family history of stuttering.
this can turn into more severe stuttering and not just normal non-fluencies
what are the core behaviors of stuttering? -ANSWER✔✔1. repetition of sounds,
syllables, words
2. prolongations
3. blocks - stops/pauses
what are the secondary behaviors of stuttering? -ANSWER✔✔escape behavior and
avoidance behavior
, what does escape behavior consist of? -ANSWER✔✔head nods, eye blinks, jaw
tremors
what does avoidance behavior consist of? -ANSWER✔✔tension, pauses,
substitutions
what factors would indicate a child is more likely to outgrow stuttering? -
ANSWER✔✔- no family history of stuttering
- female
- if child has slower, more laid back parents (talk slower)
what factors would indicate a child is less likely to outgrow stuttering? -
ANSWER✔✔- if they have other speech and language problems
what environmental factors might increase stuttering? -ANSWER✔✔- high stress
- high linguistic demands
- traumatic events
- anxiety about stuttering itself
what is neurogenic fluency disorder? -ANSWER✔✔when a person has been able
to speak fluently up until they experienced a neurogenic event (something in the
brain)
what is a psychogenic disorder? -ANSWER✔✔when stuttering begins after a
psychological event has occurred
AND ANSWERS WITH GRADED A+
SOLUTIONS, UPDATED 2026,
GUARANTEED SUCCESS
1. Cluttering
ANSWER: A fluency disorder of both speech and language processing. ✔✔
Cluttering is often more complex than stuttering because it involves a breakdown
in how the brain organizes thoughts before they are even spoken.
Characteristics of Cluttering:
Speech Quality: Rapid, non-rhythmic, unorganized, and often
unintelligible.
Rate: Excessively fast speech ("tachylalia").
Language Markers: False starts, incomplete sentences, and word retrieval
problems.
Self-Awareness: A hallmark of cluttering is no self-monitoring skills. The
person is typically unaware that their speech is difficult to understand and
may become frustrated when asked to repeat themselves.
2. Stuttering
ANSWER: An abnormally high frequency or duration of stops in the forward
flow of speech. ✔✔ Unlike cluttering, stuttering is primarily a motor-speech issue
rather than a language-organization issue.
Types of Disfluencies:
Repetitions: Sounds (b-b-ball), syllables (ta-ta-table), or whole words.
Prolongations: Stretching out a sound (sssssun).
Blocks: A complete stoppage of airflow or sound where the person appears
"stuck."
,When to Be Concerned: The 10% Rule
ANSWER: You should be concerned when a child is stuttering 10% of the
time. ✔✔
Why the 10% threshold matters:
Typical Disfluency: Most children go through a stage of "normal non-
fluency" between ages 2 and 5 as they learn complex grammar. They may
repeat words or use fillers (um, uh) in about 5% of their speech.
+1
Clinical Significance: When disfluencies reach 10% or more, it
significantly exceeds the norm.
Risk Factors: At this frequency, the child is at a higher risk for persistent
stuttering into adulthood, especially if the stuttering is accompanied by:
1. Secondary behaviors (eye blinking, facial tension).
2. Frustration or avoidance of speaking.
3. A family history of stuttering.
this can turn into more severe stuttering and not just normal non-fluencies
what are the core behaviors of stuttering? -ANSWER✔✔1. repetition of sounds,
syllables, words
2. prolongations
3. blocks - stops/pauses
what are the secondary behaviors of stuttering? -ANSWER✔✔escape behavior and
avoidance behavior
, what does escape behavior consist of? -ANSWER✔✔head nods, eye blinks, jaw
tremors
what does avoidance behavior consist of? -ANSWER✔✔tension, pauses,
substitutions
what factors would indicate a child is more likely to outgrow stuttering? -
ANSWER✔✔- no family history of stuttering
- female
- if child has slower, more laid back parents (talk slower)
what factors would indicate a child is less likely to outgrow stuttering? -
ANSWER✔✔- if they have other speech and language problems
what environmental factors might increase stuttering? -ANSWER✔✔- high stress
- high linguistic demands
- traumatic events
- anxiety about stuttering itself
what is neurogenic fluency disorder? -ANSWER✔✔when a person has been able
to speak fluently up until they experienced a neurogenic event (something in the
brain)
what is a psychogenic disorder? -ANSWER✔✔when stuttering begins after a
psychological event has occurred
