Understanding Speech Sound Difficulties in Speech Therapy

The Importance of Phonetics in Communication

One of the fundamental aspects of speech therapy is the understanding and use of speech sounds. Speech sounds, or phonemes, are the smallest units of sound that can differentiate meaning in a language. For example, This could be the single sound /p/ and all the levels involved in creating this sound (i.e. where should my tongue be placed?). Speech sounds are crucial for effective verbal communication, as well as the speech sound difficulties that can arise.

The Basics of Speech Sounds

Speech sounds are categorized into consonants and vowels. Consonants are produced either with or without vibration (depending on if they are considered voiced or unvoiced) in the vocal tract, while vowels are produced with vibration in the vocal tract. Each speech sound has distinctive features based on how and where it is produced, such as voicing, place of articulation, and manner of articulation.

Voicing

Voicing refers to whether the vocal cords vibrate during the production of a speech sound. For example, the sounds /b/ and /p/ are both produced by the lips coming together, but /b/ is voiced (vocal cords vibrate) while /p/ is voiceless (vocal cords do not vibrate).

Place of Articulation

The place of articulation is the location in the vocal tract where the airflow is constricted. Common places of articulation include the lips (bilabial sounds like /m/ and /b/), the alveolar ridge (alveolar sounds like /t/ and /d/), and the soft palate (velar sounds like /k/ and /g/).

Manner of Articulation

The manner of articulation describes how the airflow is constricted. Examples include stops (complete blockage of airflow, as in /t/ and /k/), fricatives (partial blockage causing friction, as in /f/ and /s/), and nasals (airflow through the nose, as in /m/ and /n/).

Speech Sound Disorders

When individuals have difficulty producing speech sounds correctly, they may be diagnosed with a speech sound disorder. These disorders can significantly affect communication and can be categorized into articulation disorders and phonological disorders, where underlying cause is unknown but not due to any neurological, structural or perceptual reason. Unlike a speech delay, in a speech sound disorder, mistakes are not 'typical'.

Source: ASHA

Articulation Disorders

Articulation disorders occur when an individual has difficulty physically producing specific speech sounds. This might be due to issues with the lips, tongue, teeth, or other articulatory structures. Common articulation errors include substitutions (e.g., saying "wabbit" instead of "rabbit"), omissions (e.g., saying "ca" instead of "cat"), distortions (e.g., slurred or unclear sounds), and additions (e.g., saying "buhlue" instead of "blue").

Phonological Disorders

Phonological disorders involve patterns of sound errors. Rather than struggling with individual sounds, individuals with phonological disorders may use incorrect sound patterns, affecting their ability to be understood. Examples include fronting (producing sounds at the front of the mouth instead of the back, e.g., saying "tat" for "cat") and cluster reduction (omitting one or more consonants in a cluster, e.g., saying "pane" instead of "plane").

Assessment and Intervention

Speech therapists use a variety of assessment tools to diagnose speech sound disorders. These may include standardized tests, speech samples, and oral-motor examinations. Once a diagnosis is made, therapists can develop individualized treatment plans.

Articulation Therapy

Articulation therapy focuses on teaching individuals how to produce specific sounds correctly. This typically involves auditory discrimination (learning to hear the difference between sounds), phonetic placement (learning where to place articulators to produce sounds), and motor practice (repeatedly practicing the sounds). Therapists may use visual aids, tactile cues, and verbal instructions to help clients master the correct production of sounds.

Phonological Therapy

Phonological therapy aims to teach individuals to use the correct sound patterns. This can involve activities such as minimal pair training (distinguishing between words that differ by only one sound, e.g., "bat" vs. "pat"), cycles approach (rotating through different sound patterns over time), and metaphon therapy (developing awareness of the phonological structure of words).

This is not an exhaustive list of types of difficulties or treatments. For instance, other underlying conditions might require a mix of therapies or other visual support.

The Role of Families and Caregivers

Families and caregivers play a crucial role in supporting individuals with speech sound disorders. Consistent practice and positive reinforcement at home can significantly enhance progress in therapy. Speech therapists often provide training and resources to help families incorporate therapeutic techniques into daily routines.

I have also worked with many adults with speech sound difficulties — they may be unable to produce a sound, which existed since childhood but was unresolved on its own, or it may be due to some other motor speech difficulty. However, it’s important to note that a difference in accent does not mean you have a speech sound disorder — it just means you learned a sound differently, but it matches the language you are fluent in!

Conclusion

Understanding speech sounds is fundamental to the practice of speech therapy. By recognizing and addressing speech sound disorders, therapists can help individuals improve their communication skills, leading to better social interactions, academic performance, and overall quality of life. Through a combination of assessment, targeted intervention, and support from families and caregivers, individuals can achieve meaningful improvements in their speech and communication abilities.

Questions? Contact me at nimra@speakclear.ca