What is one of the developmental phases in the progression of stuttering?

The progression of stuttering typically includes various developmental phases, and reflexive fluency is indeed one of these phases. Reflexive fluency refers to the instances where speech is fluent and smooth due to the speaker not being self-conscious or stressed about communication. This often occurs in relaxed situations or when the speaker is highly engaged or focused on the content rather than the act of speaking itself.

During this phase, children might demonstrate fluent speech when they are speaking in a playful context or when they are very excited about a topic. Understanding this phase is crucial for speech-language pathologists, as it can help inform therapy strategies aimed at fostering fluency and reducing the likelihood of stuttering during communication.

In contrast, the other options do not pertain specifically to the developmental phases of stuttering. Increased vocabulary may support overall communication skills but does not relate directly to stuttering's progression. Normal speech development refers to the typical milestones children achieve as they learn to communicate but does not specifically address stuttering. Reduced communication opportunities can contribute to anxiety and pressure around speaking, which may, in turn, affect stuttering, but it is not a phase in the progression itself.