Which speech disorder can persist from childhood into adulthood?

Stuttering is the correct response as it is a specific type of fluency disorder that commonly manifests in childhood but can indeed persist into adulthood. This condition is characterized by disruptions in the flow of speech, which may include repetitions, prolongations, or pauses that hinder communication. While many children may outgrow stuttering, a significant number carry the challenges associated with it into their adult years.

It is important to recognize that while fluency disorders encompass various types of disfluencies, including stuttering, not all fluency disorders will necessarily persist through the lifespan. For example, childhood disfluencies may resolve with age for some individuals.

Apraxia of speech and speech sound disorder typically have different developmental trajectories. Apraxia, which affects the ability to plan and execute speech movements, often becomes apparent in early childhood and may lead to ongoing speech issues, but the nature of the disorder and its manifestation can change significantly as individuals grow older. Similarly, speech sound disorders, which involve difficulties in producing specific sounds, may improve significantly in many children as they develop their speech skills.

Hence, among the options presented, stuttering is distinctly recognized as a speech disorder that can endure from childhood into adulthood, making it the most appropriate answer.