Articulation of Speech and How We Can Help

What is Articulation of Speech? 

Articulation refers to the production of spoken sounds and how clearly your child is speaking. The SLP evaluates the accuracy of production at varying levels: sounds (consonants and vowels), syllables, words, sentences, and spontaneous conversational.  Some children mix up sounds, leave them out, or say them them in a way that is difficult to understand. The SLP obtains an intelligibility rating, meaning how well your child’s speech is understood to a less familiar listener.

During an assessment, the SLP will:

  • Check your child’s mouth movements and muscles
  • Ask about your child’s hearing
  • Listen to how your child says different sounds
  • Obtain an inventory of their consonant and vowel productions

Some spoken errors are part of typical speech sound development. The SLP assesses phonological (speech sound) processing development.  Some phonological processes such as the gliding of sounds, eg. “W” instead of /L/ or /R/, are considered typical for a preschool-age child.  As an example, a preschooler might say “wabbit” rather than /rabbit/. The SLP identifies which articulation substitutions are typically developing and which may require therapeutic intervention.  A slushy “s” known as a lateral lisp is considered an atypical speech sound pattern warranting intervention.

What is Childhood Apraxia of Speech (CAS)?

Childhood Apraxia of Speech (CAS) is a motor speech difficulty affecting a child’s ability to accurately produce the sequences of speech sounds.  Children who demonstrate signs of CAS most often know what they want to say, however the brain is unable to coordinate with the mouth muscles in order to articulate in an efficient way.  As a result, children with CAS can become frustrated in making themselves understood.

Children with CAS may:

  • Grope for articulatory postures/initial sounds
  • Present with unusual speech sound substitutions/omissions
  • Say the same word differently each time
  • Find it hard to copy words, even when trying
  • Be very difficult to understand in connected conversational speaking

It is important to note that a motor speech problem such as CAS is complex and can be challenging to identify, particularly in preschool-age children.  Diagnosis is often made cautiously/provisionally, and is typically not confirmed until after the age of 3.  If a motor/apraxic component to your child’s speech difficulty is suspected, your SLP will devise a carefully tailored therapy plan for select targets.