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The relevance of the topic of the article. An analysis of the indicators of irregularity in a child’s speech, speech disorders, and the existing methods of their measurement shows that disturbances in the fluency of speech in preschool children are mainly associated with evolutionary stuttering. There are no methods of objective assessment of fluency of speech and its disorders in stuttering in the Russian literature and speech therapy practice, while abroad there are different models of categorization of indicators of speech irregularity and various objective methods of measuring fluency of speech in children with normal conditions and with stuttering are used.

The aim of the research. The study of physiological and pathological indicators of speech irregularity of preschool children with stuttering and without speech disorders for the differential diagnosis of normal and deviating speech development is the aim of the study.

Description of the research progress. The study involved 35 children aged 4,5–6,5 years: 16 children without speech disorders and 19 children with stuttering of varying severity. The fluency / irregularity of speech was assessed using technology for assessing the indicators of speech irregularity (Vanderbilt technology) based on the analysis of two representative speech samples of 100 words each (a conversation and a story based on a series of plot pictures): the total percentage of speech irregularity, the percentage of physiological and pathological indicators of speech irregularity were calculated, the dominant types of speech irregularity in both groups were identified.

The results of the study. A significant difference was revealed in physiological and pathological indicators of speech irregularity in preschoolers with normal conditions and with stuttering. The article provides evidence of the connection of mainly pathological indicators of speech irregularity with stuttering, and physiological indicators - with normal speech development. In preschoolers with stuttering, a direct relationship was found between the overall percentage of speech irregularity and the severity of stuttering. In the group of children without speech disorders, preschoolers with a risk factor for stuttering were identified, for whose parent’s recommendations on a protective general and speech regime were developed.

Conclusion. The results of the experimental study demonstrate the advisability of including Vanderbilt’s technology in a comprehensive examination of the speech of a preschool child. The specific nature and frequency of manifestation of indicators of speech irregularity in preschool children make important diagnostic information about the typical / atypical development of speech irregularity.

The article discusses psychological and pedagogical support of, and care for children with severe speech disorders, i.e. stuttering. A preschool educational organization may have to take care of a stuttering child who is receiving pre-school education inclusively in a combined (inclusive) group based on an adapted educational program. The article deals with questions concerning the time when stuttering occurred, the forms in which stuttering was expressed and the main causes of this severe speech disorder. It provides basic symptoms that are manifest in various forms of stuttering, as well as different directions in which stuttering develops. It considers a therapeutic and pedagogical complex to be recommended in order to overcome stuttering. Of practical significance to preschool center teachers and parents of children with stuttering are ‘the speech rules’ which the article offers for stuttering children. Implementation and further compliance with “the speech rules” are necessary to eliminate stuttering in children and to form a new fluent speech skill. Useful tips are also offered to teachers and parents who provide psychological and pedagogical help and support to children with stuttering during their complex remedial work. Since stuttering is one of the most persistent severe speech disorders, affecting not only speech, but also other spheres – the somatic, neurological, psychological, motor, personal and others in a child’s life, it may be concluded that stuttering is easier to prevent than to correct. Early detection and prevention of stuttering and preventive psychological and pedagogical help by teachers and doctors can stop the further progression of stuttering.