Virtual Speech Therapy for Articulation and Phonological Disorder
Proven Treatment for Articulation and Phonological Disorders
What Are Articulation and Phonological Disorders?
The terms articulation and phonology refer to the way in which speech sounds are produced. Articulation and phonological disorders involve difficulties producing and appropriately using certain speech sounds. Both articulation and phonological disorders fall under the umbrella of "Speech sound disorders" as they cause challenges with motor production and/or phonological representation of speech sounds and speech sound sequences.
Speech sound disorders are classified as either functional or organic in nature. An organic speech sound disorder is due to an underlying cause that is neurological, structural, or sensory. A functional speech sound disorder is referred to as "idiopathic," meaning there is no clear identifiable cause.
It can be challenging to accurately differentiate between articulation and phonological disorders, which is why the more general term 'speech sound disorder' is often used instead.
Signs and Symptoms of Articulation and Phonological Disorders
Articulation Disorders
An articulation disorder makes it difficult to properly produce certain speech sounds as a result of improper movement or placement of the tongue, jaw, lips, and teeth.
Someone with an articulation disorder may:
Have difficulty making sounds and producing specific speech sounds correctly (a lisp is a kind of articulation disorder that causes the individual to make a "th" sound when trying to produce a "s" sound.)
Be unable to produce a certain speech sound (for example, they may be unable to produce an "r" sound and, as a result, may say "wabbit" instead of "rabbit.")
Phonological Disorders
The term "phonology" refers to speech sound patterns and the way sounds are combined to create words. A phonological disorder makes it difficult to comprehend and apply the rules of sound patterns in spoken language. A phonological disorder differs from an articulation disorder as it is not caused by physical challenges with speech sound production but instead affects cognitive and linguistic elements of speech and language.
Someone with a phonological disorder may:
Be able to produce the speech sounds properly, but will use the sound in the wrong syllable of a word or in the wrong word altogether.
Make predictable, patterned speech sound errors, such as replacing a certain sound with another sound across multiple words and syllables.
Make frequent mistakes with a specific sound in some words (for example, they can say the word "kite" but struggle to produce a "k" sound when it is in the middle or end of a word.
Phonological disorders are often linked to challenges with literacy and language comprehension, making early intervention for young children highly important.
When to Seek Help for Articulation and Phonological Disorders
If you (or someone close to you) are struggling to produce clear and accurate speech sounds or be understood by others, it is important to seek the guidance and support of an experienced speech and language pathologist.
If you are a parent of a young child and notice any of the following, it is important to seek help as soon as possible.
- Our child isn't babbling and vocalizing by the age of 6-9 months
- Your child hasn't produced any "first words" by the age of 12-15 months
- Your child can produce fewer than 50 words by the age of 2
- Your child's speech is difficult to understand by yourself or other family members by the age of 3
- Your child's speech is difficult to understand by those outside of their family by age 4
- Your child struggles to produce certain sounds that their peers have mastered
- Your child becomes frustrated when trying to communicate with others
- Your child consistently omits or replaces sounds when speaking
- Your child regularly makes mistakes in the patterns or sequencing of certain speech sounds
In addition to the signs listed above, it is also important to seek help from a speech therapist if anyone has expressed concern about you or your child's speech abilities. Early intervention speech therapy provides the best outcome for children with speech sound disorders, so connecting with a qualified professional as soon as possible is recommended. While it may be tempting to "wait and see" if your child corrects their speech errors on their own, this approach can allow your child to fall further behind and make treating their disorder more complex and challenging.
The Benefits of Virtual Therapy for Articulation and Phonological Disorders
Online speech therapy is becoming an increasingly popular method of treating articulation and phonological disorders in individuals of all ages. It has been shown to be as effective as traditional in-person speech therapy, with some added benefits, including:
Convenience: When you take your speech therapy sessions online, you can connect with your speech and language pathologist from the comfort of your own home. This can make it easier for children to attend and engage in speech therapy, as they tend to learn and participate more fully when in a familiar and comfortable environment.
Flexibility: We know how difficult it can be to fit regular speech therapy appointments into busy family schedules and routines. That's why we are happy to offer evening and weekend appointments, so you don't have to take time out of work or school days to work with a speech therapist.
Personalized Care: Our network of specialized and experienced speech and language pathologists means it is easier than ever to work closely with a therapist who is ideally suited to meet your needs, not simply the one nearest to you. By providing tailored approaches and customized treatment plans, our therapists are dedicated to helping you or your child reach your communication goals as soon as possible.
How Long Will I Need Virtual Speech Therapy for Articulation and Phonological Disorders
Every speech therapy journey is unique, as are the needs and goals of each individual we work with. While some may see major improvements within a month of starting speech therapy, others may need to work with their therapist for six months to a year or, in many cases, for several years.
How long speech therapy takes to address articulation and phonological disorders depends on several factors, such as the age of the individual, the frequency and duration of speech therapy appointments, the specific diagnosis of the individual, the presence of underlying contributing conditions, the degree of support the individual receives, and the dedication and commitment to at-home practice.
Why Choose Great Speech for Your Articulation and Phonological Disorder Treatment
As a leader in the speech therapy world, and at the forefront of virtual speech therapy advancements, our extensive network of speech therapists is ideally suited to help individuals of any age overcome a speech sound disorder.
Don't wait to get yourself or a loved one started on the path to clearer speech, stronger communication, and increased confidence. Contact us today to get started!
Contact Us Today
If you'd like to learn more about whether online speech therapy is right for your child or are ready to get started, simply schedule your free introductory call today!
Each of our therapists are highly-specialized, allowing our clients to be matched to address their specific communication needs. This level of specialization allows us to deliver the best service possible.