Articulation disorders are problems with the placement of the articulatory muscles, which allow people to speak and breathe. As a result, articulation problems can cause significant speech and breathing problems. With the help of a speech therapist, children with articulation disorders can learn how to produce the sounds in speech. These disorders can occur when the vocal cords are too short or too long or are not correctly connected to the rest of the body.
Articulation disorders
When your child has trouble articulating certain sounds, they may have an articulation problem. Their lips, hearing, and brain are not affected by this condition. For example, they could constantly swap out “r” for “w” or “th” for “s.” Speech-language pathologists may diagnose your child and use speech therapy to improve their speech.
What is articulation disorder?
At the age of four or five, most children are able to produce all of the sounds of speech. Children with difficulty speaking clearly after this age may develop a speech sound issue. The incorrect arrangement of specific speech sounds characterizes an articulation disorder.
As humans, we make sounds, syllables, and words through articulation. It is possible for a child with an articulation problem to be unable to make certain sounds or to form other sounds incorrectly. Consequently, the child may have difficulty learning and interacting with others, and their speech may be difficult to comprehend. Sometimes this issue is referred to as functional speech dysfunction or articulation delay.
How to know when to consult a doctor?
If you have concerns about your child’s speech, ask your GP or pediatrician to set up an evaluation with a speech pathologist. There is also the option of making direct appointments with a speech pathologist, but these appointments can be more expensive.
How do you fix articulation disorder?
Your child’s speech-language pathologist will recommend speech therapy as a treatment for articulation problems. During regular sessions, your child will improve their speech and receive exercises and tasks to complete at home. During speech therapy, your child’s SLP will provide them with a variety of exercises and activities, including:
- Find out what sounds they can’t make.
- Make sure they create sounds in the right way.
- Regain control over speech motor parts
- Exercise the muscles involved in speech.
- At home, practice forming sounds.
Medications
You should have a certified speech-language pathologist evaluate your child’s speech if you have any concerns. Moreover, the speech pathologist can determine the underlying cause of the problem and formulate a treatment plan with your child and family. The treatment may include regular checkups and activities you and your child can perform at home. With the proper speech treatment, many kids with articulation or phonological difficulties can see dramatic improvements in their speech.
Injuries to the brain
In most cases, brain damage does not directly result in articulation or phonological problems. It is possible for children who have suffered an acquired brain injury to experience a variety of difficulties with their speech patterns. Dyspraxia and dysarthria are usually to blame. Certain children with acquired brain injuries may also have language and literacy difficulties.
Points to keep in mind
- Speech sounds are made through articulation and phonology.
- Language and literacy problems can occur when a child has phonological disorders or phonemic awareness disorders.
- A speech pathologist can assess your child’s speech if you have concerns about it.
- Children who suffer from articulation or phonological disorders can greatly improve their speech with appropriate speech therapy.
What is the difference between phonological disorders and articulation disorders?
Phonological disorders and articulation disorders are often confused. Due to the fact that the two conditions have different treatments, it is essential to distinguish between them. Additionally, it is difficult for children with articulation disorders to develop the motor skills necessary to produce specific speech sounds. A person with this condition cannot synchronize the movements of their lips, tongue, teeth, palate, and lungs to make a particular sound.
Alternatively, they could substitute noises they cannot generate or create distorted speaking sounds. An example of an articulation disorder would be the inability to pronounce the sound “th” and the inability to pronounce the sound “f.”
It may be possible for children with phonological problems to make the right sounds, but they may have difficulty combining those sounds. However, your child may be able to produce the letter “d” on their own, for example. Nevertheless, if your child attempts to pronounce a word that begins with a “d,” they substitute a “g.”.
Self-conscious of articulation disorder
- Don’t read aloud or speak to others.
- Excessively shy or quiet.
- Speak with frustration.
- Don’t say certain words at all.
- Insecurities and low self-esteem.
Wrap up
In conclusion, articulation disorders are a type of speech disorder caused by an irregularity in how the vocal cords produce sound. These disorders can cause difficulty speaking and pronouncing words correctly and can lead to communication problems. Treatment typically involves experienced speech therapists who can help the patient learn how to produce normal sounds using various methods and speech practice.