Entry #582982, added on 05-03-08 @ 10:46 pm EDT
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Speech is the oral production of standard sounds to communicate. Speech sounds are formed as the airflow from the lungs is shaped by the tongue, teeth, and lips. The soft palate raises and lowers to change nasality (/m/ is nasal, /b/ is not). The vocal folds vibrate off and on for particular sounds (/b/ is voiced, /p/ is not). Some sounds, such as /s/, produce a continuous stream of air; some (like /k/) require the airflow to be stopped while pressure builds and is then released. These muscle movements are incredibly fast, and if the timing is off by even fractions of a second, the sound is perceived as distorted or completely in error.
Babies begin learning speech sounds by babbling. As they grow older, they imitate the speech sounds they hear spoken around them. Generally, more complex sounds and combinations are learned later, as the child's overall muscle coordination improves. For example, /b/ simply requires the lips to seal together and is one of the earliest sounds acquired. The /str/ sound in 'string,' however, is more complex and is often simplified to /ting/, /sting/, or even /twing/ until the child is able to make sounds in combination.
For this reason, many sound errors are developmentally normal. A 2-year-old is not expected to say 'broccoli,' though some do; a pronunciation similar to 'bwokwee' is considered age-appropriate. However, that pronunciation would not be typical for a normally-developing 10-year-old child.
Problems with speech production usually stem from an inability to hear the sounds correctly; muscle strength, range, or coordination limitations (dysarthria); or structural differences such as missing teeth, cleft palate, or tissue trauma. These problems may be congenital (present from birth) or acquired after illness, surgery, or injury.
Treatment for speech sound errors addresses all aspects of speech production. Discrimination of speech sounds is improved through auditory training. Exercises and stimulation techniques can improve muscle performance. Training is also provided in strategies to compensate for speech problems.
For more detailed information about speech problems, please visit http://www.asha.org/public/speech/development/.
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