What is a Phonological Disorder?

A Phonological Disorder is a type of speech disorder in which a person has difficulty understanding or using the rules of sound patterns (phonology) in their language. They may be able to produce individual sounds correctly but struggle when putting those sounds together to form words.

Someone with a phonological disorder is often difficult to understand due to the greater amount of speech sound errors that they make. A phonological disorder differs from an articulation disorder in which a person struggles to produce certain sounds. A child with an articulation disorder may say “wun” instead of “run” or “wike” instead of “like,” while a child with a phonological disorder may leave out letters in a word and say “un” instead of “run” or “ike” instead of “like.”

The exact cause of a phonological disorder is not fully understood however, it is believed to involve a combination of genetic, developmental, and environmental factors. Children with a family history of language disorders are at a higher risk. Neurological studies have suggested that the brain of someone who has a phonological disorder processes sounds differently than one without the disorder. A child who has had limited exposure to language may also be at risk. 

Nearly 8% of children in the U.S. aged 3-17 have a disorder relating to speech, such as a phonological disorder. Speech therapy is a highly effective treatment option for anyone who is struggling with a speech disorder. Early detection and intervention can mitigate its long-term effects on academic and social development. Getting started with online speech therapy through Great Speech is quick and easy. Schedule your free introductory call today! 

Types of Phonological Disorders

The two types of phonological disorders are consistent and inconsistent. 

Consistent—The child makes the same speech errors across multiple words. The errors are predictable. For example, the child may drop letters in a word and say “at” instead of “cat” or “og” instead of “dog.” The errors are made regularly and are expected.

Inconsistent - The child’s speech is inconsistent. When trying to say “cat,” they may say “bat” or “gat”. The next time they try to say “cat,” they may say “fat” or “mat”. The error is inconsistent. 

How do you know if your child has a phonological disorder?

All children make speech errors as they learn to speak. It is part of regular speech development. Some sounds are much easier to say than others. Most children can say the majority of speech sounds by 5 years of age. When struggles continue past this age, it may mean that the child has a speech disorder, such as a phonological disorder. 

Common signs of a phonological disorder

• Mixing up certain consonant sounds in a word. They may say “tat” instead of “cat”
• Simplifying a word by repeating two syllables. Saying “ba-ba” instead of “bottle.”
• Saying only one syllable in a word. They may say “bay” instead of “baby”
• Leaving out a consonant sound. Saying “ish” instead of “fish”
• Omitting syllables in a multi-syllable word. They may say “nana” instead of “banana”

Children with phonological disorders are often difficult to understand since they have so many mixups in their speech. If you have concerns that your child has a phonological disorder, keep note of the speech errors that they are having and reach out to a speech therapist. The speech therapist will typically conduct a speech assessment to determine if there is a speech disorder. 

Risks of not treating phonological disorders

As phonological awareness is closely tied to literacy skills, someone with an untreated phonological disorder may struggle academically. They can have problems decoding words, spelling, and writing due to their difficulty with hearing and producing sounds correctly. They may also struggle reading aloud. These complications can also affect future career opportunities. 

Speech difficulties can make a person feel isolated from their peers. They can lead to low self-esteem and even depression. Someone with a phonological disorder may feel anxious about being judged or speaking aloud. This may result in the individual withdrawing from social activities.

How to treat phonological disorders

Most children can overcome a phonological disorder with speech therapy. A child with a phonological disorder struggles with the rules for how sounds fit together. With appropriate intervention and practice, they can learn the correct phonological rules. The earlier the intervention, the better the prognosis. Consistency and practice are key to progress, and a speech therapist will develop a plan based on the severity and the child’s individual needs. 

If you believe that your child has a phonological disorder, it is important to consult with a qualified speech therapist as soon as possible. Get your child the support they need by scheduling your free introductory call today!