Final answer:
Tommy's stutter, which impacts his speech rate, falls under the category of a speech disorder, which is distinct from a language disorder like dyslexia.
Step-by-step explanation:
Tommy has a stutter which affects his rate of speech. This is a speech disorder. Speech disorders involve difficulty with the actual production of sounds (articulation), as well as stuttering or stammering. Dyslexia, which is mentioned but not the focus of this question, typically manifests in challenges related to language skills, specifically reading and writing, rather than the physical production of speech.
It's important to recognize the distinction between language disorders, which deal with problems understanding or using words in context, and speech disorders, which relate more directly to the physiological aspects of producing speech.