Substitution
What is substitution & why does it occur?
Substitution happens when a child replaces one sound with another sound. This happens when one sound is easier for the child to pronounce or it may sound better to the child in the word depending on the other sounds surrounding the substituted one.
Common Substitutions:
Fronting:
Replacing a sound made in the back of the mouth (K, G) with one made in the front of the mouth
"Duck" → "Guck"
"Cat" → "Tat"
Age this process will likely go away: 4
Gliding:
Replacing the (R, L) sounds for the easier (W, Y) sounds
"Rabbit" → "Wabbit"
"Like" → "Yike"
Age this process will likely go away: 6-7
Stopping:
Replacing a sound with lots of airflow (S, Z, V, F) for a sound that does not have much airflow (G, K, M, T, D, B, P)
"Zoo" → "Doo"
"Soup" → "Toup"
Age this process will likely go away: 3-5
Deaffrication:
Replacing sounds like (CH) sound for a sound with more airflow like (S, Z)
"Chip" → "Ship"
"Chick" → "Sick"
Age this process will likely go away: 4
What should I do if these substitutions persist?
These speech substitutions are normal, and typically developing children usually outgrow them. Caregivers should seek help from their pediatrician or a Speech-language pathologist if these substitutions consistently happen long after the age they typically subside.
How can you support your child?
Play games that create a language-rich environment.
Support them with recasting, a form of positive evidence, meaning repeating what word they have just said and how you would say it without obviously correcting them. This may look like:
Child: "I want some ships please!"
Caregiver: "Sure, I can get you some chips!"
Get in touch with your pediatrician and or a Speech Language Pathologist if substitutions persist.