Which of the following is a defining feature of beginning stuttering?

A defining feature of beginning stuttering is the presence of a fixed articulatory posture during blocks. In this context, beginning stuttering typically involves instances where speech becomes physically blocked, resulting in a person exhibiting tension and a noticeable stop in air flow while attempting to articulate sounds. This fixed posture reflects the struggle to produce speech and is a hallmark characteristic of the stuttering experience at this stage.

The other features mentioned, such as long repetitions (more than two units), frequent avoidance behaviors, and general indifference to stuttering, may be observed in different stages or types of stuttering but do not specifically characterize beginning stuttering. For instance, avoidance behaviors usually develop later as a person becomes more aware of their stuttering and is negatively affected by it. Similarly, indifference to one's stutter is more indicative of a lack of awareness or concern about the speech difficulty, which is not typical in beginning stuttering, where the individual is often more attuned to the struggle and its impact on their communication.