SPEECH SOUND DISORDERS

Articulation Disorder

Pronunciation of sounds, for example, “bish” for “fish,” “wabbit” for “rabbit” etc.

Phonological Process Disorder

A more “all encompassing” sound disorder that impacts language.  One type of phonology error is known as “fronting.” This occurs when a sound that is typically made

in the back of the mouth (“k” or “g”) is produced in the front of the mouth instead (“d” or “t”).  A child with this type of error might say something like: “I want date,

Mommy” rather than “I want CAKE, Mommy.”  Typically, these types of errors lead to a great deal of confusion when listening to the child speak (and may lead to a great deal of frustration for the child as well).

Childhood Apraxia of Speech (CAS)

Difficulty with mobility and coordination of the speech motor mechanism.  Speech is typically highly unintelligible; though this diagnosis is rare; occurring in roughly .75% of diagnosed speech cases.

Dysarthria

An overall weakness in the speech mechanism (tongue, lips, jaw) resulting in “slushy” or “slurred” sounding speech.  Speech may be very difficult to understand.

Stuttering

Repetition of sounds, syllables, words, phrases (“I, I, I, I, I went to the store”)

Prolongation of sounds in words (“Aaaaaaaaaaaaaaapples are my favorite fruit”)

Blocking of sounds (many times accompanied by facial/body tension)

Secondary behaviors; facial grimaces, tapping, head bobs/nods, eye blinking etc.

Covert behaviors (avoiding using certain words/sounds that are difficult, speaking with an accent etc. to avoid a stuttering event)

Voice

Chronic hoarseness/vocal nodules or polyps

Nasality differences (hypo- or hypernasal)

Poor vocal quality

Language Disorders

Difficulty using words to communicate in an understandable manner

Problems answering questions

Problems with explaining events or retelling stories (narrative development)

Difficulty using correct grammar and vocabulary

Challenged when remembering and following directions

Difficulty understanding stories; especially the main idea and supporting details

Difficulty understanding and using various language concepts (such as prepositions etc.)

Social Communication (also called Social Language or Pragmatics)

Conversational skills (initiating/maintaining/closing conversations, eye gaze, gestures, social inferencing – both verbal and non-verbal)

Problem solving and understanding of non-literal language (“It’s raining cats and dogs”)

Forming and maintaining friendships

Difficulty with humor

Accent Reduction

Difficulty with American speech sounds, intonation and slang, as well as language usage (grammar, syntax, idioms etc.)