What is prolonged speech in stuttering therapy?

Prolonged speech is a fluency shaping technique where you extend vowels and continuant consonants to slow your speaking rate. By stretching sounds, you create a smoother, more continuous airflow that reduces the interruptions characteristic of stuttering.

Does prolonged speech sound natural?

Initially, prolonged speech may sound slow or exaggerated. With practice, you learn to use it more subtly, applying slight prolongations that maintain fluency without sounding unnatural. The goal is to gradually increase your speaking rate while maintaining the smoothness.

Is prolonged speech the same as speaking slowly?

Not exactly. Simply speaking slowly does not address the underlying tension patterns in stuttering. Prolonged speech specifically involves stretching sounds and maintaining continuous phonation, which changes how you produce speech at a motor level, not just the speed.

Fluency Shaping

Prolonged Speech

Slightly prolong sounds and syllables for smoother, more connected speech.

What it is

Prolonged speech involves stretching out sounds slightly (not excessively) to create smooth, continuous airflow and voicing. By elongating vowels and continuant consonants (s, z, f, v, etc.), you maintain a steady stream of speech and avoid abrupt starts/stops that can trigger stuttering.

What it is for

To maintain continuous phonation and airflow, reducing interruptions that lead to stuttering.

How to practice it

Take a breath before speaking
Stretch out the first sound of the word
Blend sounds together smoothly
Prolong vowels slightly (e.g., "suuun" not "sun")
Keep continuous voicing/airflow
Use normal volume and pitch
Start slowly, gradually speed up
Aim for natural-sounding prolongation