What is a common characteristic of speech in individuals with fluency disorders?

Individuals with fluency disorders often exhibit inconsistent smoothness in their speech. This characteristic manifests as interruptions in the flow of speech, which may include stuttering or other forms of disfluency. These interruptions can occur unpredictably and vary in frequency and intensity. The inconsistency reflects the struggling and effortful nature of speech production in these individuals, as they may have difficulty maintaining a steady rhythm or flow when speaking.

In contrast, other characteristics, such as high pitch, excessive volume, or lack of expression, do not specifically define fluency disorders. High pitch and excessive volume pertain more to aspects of voice quality rather than fluency, while lack of expression can be associated with a range of conditions but is not a defining feature of fluency disorders. Thus, the hallmark of fluency disorders lies in the inconsistent nature of speech smoothness, making it the most appropriate choice.