Speech Sound
Speech Sound Development
& Articulation Challenges.
Articulation of speech sounds, lisps, and phonological disorders (children who do not follow the typical pattern of speech development).
Understanding Speech Sound Disorders in Children
Phonological disorders are a type of speech sound disorder that affects the way children produce and use speech sounds. Speech sounds are the individual sounds that make up words, such as “r” in rabbit or “k” in key. Children with phonological disorders do not follow the typical pattern of speech development. They may have difficulty producing speech sounds correctly or may use them incorrectly. This can make their speech difficult to understand.
Signs of a phonological disorder may include substituting one sound for another, leaving out certain sounds, or using the wrong sound in a word. For example, a person with a phonological disorder may say “wing” instead of “ring” or “fum” instead of “thumb.” These patterns of sound errors are considered normal unless they persist beyond the age when most typically developing children have stopped using them.
How Are Phonological Disorders Treated?
Phonological disorders can occur for various reasons, such as genetic factors, hearing loss, or developmental delays. Sometimes, there may not be an obvious cause.
Treatment for phonological disorders typically involves working with a speech pathologist, who can diagnose and treat speech disorders. The speech pathologist will work with the person to help them learn and practice correct speech sounds and improve their overall speech clarity.
Articulation disorders are when someone has trouble making certain sounds or saying words clearly. For example, instead of saying “cat,” they might say “tat.” It can happen because the person’s mouth, tongue, or lips might not move the right way to make the sounds correctly. These disorders can affect how well someone communicates, but with help, they can improve and learn to speak more clearly.
Early diagnosis and intervention are important for the best outcomes. With appropriate therapy and support from a speech pathologist, many people with phonological or articulation disorders can significantly improve their speech and communication skills.