Speech Sounds

• Speech sound disorders is the umbrella term used to reference any difficulty with perception, motor production, or phonological representation of speech sounds and speech segments 

• Articulation is the motor production of individual speech sounds and focuses on errors in sound production. 

• Phonology refers to the understanding of patterns and the rule based system for speech sounds. It focuses on the rule-based errors that can affect more than one sound. 

• SLPs help establish and teach appropriate placement, manner, and voicing for speech sounds and also support acquisition of the rules needed to use sound patterns correctly. Interventions are provided and/or chosen based on the overall impact on the child's speech intelligibility, impact on educational performance, and the nature of the speech sound disorder.  

• An example of an articulation error would be a child producing the "S" sound with lateral (out the sides of the mouth) rather than central (out the front of the mouth) airflow. An example of a phonological error would be a child using the pattern of replacing the "SH" sound with an "S" sound (e.g. "sip" for "ship" or "sour" for "shower).

Language 

Language is a system of patterns and symbols used to communicate. It is defined as the comprehension and/or use of a spoken (i.e., listening and speaking), written (i.e., reading and writing), and/or signed communication system. In some cases, children may benefit from the use augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) to replace or supplement spoken language. Language includes phonology, morphology, syntax, semantics, and pragmatics.

Examples of language skills:

• Following directions

• Identifying and naming vocabulary

• Asking and answering questions appropriately 

• Using grammar structures appropriately 

• Reading comprehension and comprehension monitoring

• Using language for varying communicative intents (gaining attention, requesting, protesting, sharing ideas, etc.)

• Higher order skills such as inferencing, nonliteral concepts (puns, sarcasm, idioms, jokes)

• Using verbal/nonverbal language for appropriate social situations

Fluency and Voice 

• Fluency refers to continuity, smoothness, rate, and effort of speech. All speakers may hesitate when speaking, use fillers, or repeat words/phrases. These are considered typical. However, when the frequency and duration of these events is excessive or otherwise noticeable, a fluency disorder may be present, A fluency disorder is an interruption in the flow of speaking to include stuttering or cluttering. 

• Stuttering is an interruption in the flow of speaking characterized by repetitions, sound prolongations, blocks, interjections, and revisions, which may affect the rate and rhythm of speech. 

• Cluttering is characterized by a perceived rapid and/or irregular speech rate, with atypical pauses, frequent shifting of topic, deletion or collapsing of syllables, excessive typical disfluencies.

• Voice disorders are when voice quality, pitch, and loudness differ or are inappropriate for an individual's age, gender, cultural background, or geographic location. To provide intervention with voice weaknesses, SLPs require documentation provided by the child's doctor. Treatment is based on the child's specific needs.