Articulation disorders may develop when a child cannot produce the correct sounds, resulting in mispronunciations or omissions of entire words. Articulation disorder is also known as “speech sound disorder” or “phonological disorder.”
Possible Causes of Articulation Disorders
There is not always a clear cause of articulation disorders, but they can be the result of many factors, including:
- Neurological problems
- Developmental delays
- Poor muscle coordination
- Low muscle tone
- Hearing loss
- Cleft palate
- Dental issues (e.g., overbite or open bite, dental arch)
- Anatomical variations (e.g., enlarged tongue or tonsils)
How are Articulation Disorders Diagnosed?
If you think your child may have an articulation disorder, the first step is to consult with a speech-language pathologist (SLP). The speech therapist will assess your child’s ability to produce sounds.
The SLP will work with you to create a treatment plan to help your child improve their pronunciation. In some cases, the SLP may recommend a consultation with another professional such as an audiologist, dentist, or orthodontist.
How Does Speech Therapy for Articulation Work?
Speech therapy can be an extremely effective way to help your child improve their articulation skills. Articulation therapy usually consists of a series of one-on-one sessions with the therapist to improve your child’s speech skills.
Your speech pathologist will work with you and your child to create a plan for practice at home, providing you with exercises to help improve your child’s pronunciation of their target sounds. Articulation therapy can be done through various activities, such as games, worksheets, and drills. Sometimes it can be challenging to find time to practice, so try incorporating these practice activities while you are on the go (e.g., during a walk outside or while riding in the car).
What is the Prognosis for Improvement?
Articulation therapy is an important part of treating articulation disorders because it helps children develop better communication skills and become more easily understood.
In many cases, speech therapy can help children make significant progress in a relatively short amount of time. Articulation therapy typically takes place over several weeks or months, depending on your child’s articulation disorder severity. If your child is making significant progress during each session, the therapy may be completed sooner. If your child is not making as much progress as you would like, the treatment may continue for a longer time.
Most children who receive articulation therapy make significant improvements in their pronunciation skills.
