Speech problems – articulation and phonological disorders

• Articulation and phonology (fon-ol-oji) refer to the way sound is produced. A child with an articulation disorder has problems forming speech sounds properly. A child with a phonological disorder can produce the sounds correctly, but may use them in the wrong place.

  When young children are growing, they develop speech sounds in a predictable order. It is normal for young children to make speech errors as their language develops; however, children with an articulation or phonological disorder will be difficult to understand when other children their age are already speaking clearly.

  A qualified speech pathologist should assess your child if there are any concerns about the quality of the sounds they make, the way they talk, or their ability to be understood.

  Signs and symptoms of articulation and phonological disorders 

  Articulation disorders

  Articulation refers to making sounds. The production of sounds involves the coordinated movements of the lips, tongue, teeth, palate (top of the mouth) and respiratory system (lungs). There are also many different nerves and muscles used for speech.

  If your child has an articulation disorder, they:

  • have problems making sounds and forming particular speech sounds properly (e.g. they may lisp, so that s sounds like th)
  • may not be able to produce a particular sound (e.g. they can't make the r sound, and say 'wabbit' instead of 'rabbit'). 

   

  Phonological disorders

  Phonology refers to the pattern in which sounds are put together to make words.

  If your child has a phonological disorder, they:

  • are able to make the sounds correctly, but they may use it in the wrong position in a word, or in the wrong word, e.g. a child may use the d sound instead of the g sound, and so they say 'doe' instead of 'go'
  • make mistakes with the particular sounds in words, e.g. they can say k in 'kite' but with certain words, will leave it out e.g. 'lie' instead of 'like'. 

  Phonological disorders and phonemic awareness disorders (the understanding of sounds and sound rules in words) have been linked to ongoing problems with language and literacy. It is therefore important to make sure that your child gets the most appropriate treatment.

  It can be much more difficult to understand children with phonological disorders compared to children with pure articulation disorders. Children with phonological disorders often have problems with many different sounds, not just one. https://www.rch.org.au/kidsinfo/fact_sheets/Articulation_and_phonological_disorders/