Articulation & Phonology
An Articulation Disorder is any difficulty with the precise movement of the articulators to produce speech sounds. Children with Articulation Disorders may substitute one sound for another, omit sounds, add or change sounds.
Phonology is the rules of the sound system of language. A Phonological Disorder (Phonological Process Disorder) presents as sound errors that follow a pattern. For example, a child with a Phonological Disorder may produce sounds that should be produced in the front of the mouth in the back of the mouth, e.g., "gog" for 'dog.' Such sound error patterns can be developmentally appropriate, however, typically, they naturally suppress overtime. When these error patterns persist past the age of natural suppression, Speech-Language Therapy is indicated.
Many children exhibit a combination of speech motor-control difficulties and phonological (language based) difficulties, e.g., Articulation-Phonological Disorders. Both Articulation and Phonological Disorders can impact a child's speech intelligibility, or others' ability to understand them. Articulation and Phonological Disorders can impact a child's success with reading, writing, academics and social interactions
If your child is having trouble producing sounds, and/or if your child is difficult to understand, call or e-mail Brittany, to discuss your concerns in more detail.