Praxis SLP Licensure Exam

Which therapy approach is commonly used to treat stuttering in children?

1. Articulation therapy

2. Fluency shaping

3. Oral-motor therapy

4. Resonance therapy

The correct answer is: Fluency shaping

Fluency shaping is a therapy approach specifically designed to improve the flow of speech for individuals who stutter. This method focuses on teaching clients techniques to promote smooth and effortless speech production. Therapists may incorporate strategies such as gradual onset of speech, easy speech, and continuous phonation, which help reduce the physical tension and anxiety often associated with stuttering. The aim is to facilitate more fluent speech patterns by modifying how speech is produced rather than addressing speech content or language structure. In contrast, the other options serve different functions: articulation therapy is aimed at improving the correctness of speech sounds; oral-motor therapy focuses on the physical aspect of speech production, often used for conditions affecting speech clarity; and resonance therapy is designed to improve voice quality, typically for individuals with hypernasality or other resonance disorders. Therefore, fluency shaping is uniquely targeted toward addressing the specific needs of children who stutter, making it the most appropriate choice for this context.