Speech Sounds Disorders
Speech sound disorders (SSDs) occur when a child has trouble saying sounds or words correctly, past the expected age for their development. Early intervention from a speech language pathologist is recommended in helping children with speech issues. There are two main types:
Articulation speech disorders involve difficulty with the physical production of speech sounds. Children may struggle to make certain sounds correctly, often substituting, omitting, distorting, or adding sounds. For example, a child might say "wabbit" instead of "rabbit" or "thun" for "sun." A lisp, or having difficulties with /s,z/ and/or /sh, j, ch/, is another common example of articulation speech errors. Speech therapy includes focusing on how the child physically produces the sounds when speaking. With professional intervention, practice and support, children can improve these skills and at Elation Speech Therapy this is all done through a fun and engaging approach to make “therapy” feel more like play.
A phonological processing disorder is when a child has trouble putting speech sounds together in the right way, making their speech harder to understand. A child with a phonological process disorder makes speech sound pattern mistakes beyond the age of what’s expected. They can say the sounds on their own, but when it comes to using them in words, things don’t quite come out right. For example, saying “boon” for “spoon” or “uh” for “up.” Unlike children with articulation disorder, children with a phonological process disorder are at risk for reading and writing difficulties. Early intervention with a SLP is proven effectively target phonological weaknesses and improve overall communication skills.