A Speech Sound Disorder (SSD) is characterized by ongoing trouble pronouncing specific speech sounds. When an individual struggles to produce speech sounds accurately, it can impact how easily they are understood by family members, peers, and teachers.
Types of Speech Sound Disorders
Articulation Disorders: Difficulty making specific speech sounds (e.g., persistent trouble producing the /r/, /s/, or /l/ sounds). This often results in sound substitutions, distortions, or omissions.
Phonological Disorders: Difficulty making an entire group of sounds (e.g., substituting all back-of-the-mouth sounds like /k/ and /g/ with front sounds like /t/ and /d/, such as saying "tup" for "cup"). These are considered pattern-based errors.
The Speech Sound Evaluation
During an assessment, an individual’s complete speech sound repertoire is evaluated, examining both which sounds are present and how they are physically produced. Speech patterns are compared against developmental milestones to determine whether sound production is age-appropriate or would benefit from targeted intervention.
What Are Speech Sound Disorders?
What Are Language Delays & Disorders?
Language involves how individuals comprehend information and express thoughts, ideas, and needs. A language delay or disorder occurs when an individual has difficulty understanding others, expressing themselves, or both.
Receptive vs. Expressive Language
Receptive Language (Understanding): How individuals process and interpret spoken communication. This includes vocabulary comprehension, understanding concepts, following directions, and processing complex sentences.
Expressive Language (Speaking): How individuals use words to communicate. This includes vocabulary selection, grammar, and word organization.
Pre-Literacy & Phonological Awareness: Foundational skills that support reading and writing, such as rhyming, identifying sounds, and segmenting words into syllables.
The Language Evaluation
A comprehensive language evaluation thoroughly assesses both receptive and expressive language skills to determine if an individual is meeting key developmental milestones. From there, an individualized therapy plan is designed to strengthen communication confidence and support classroom success
