ARTICULATION

Speech disorders may include the inability to articulate sounds. An articulation disorder refers to the inability to actually produce speech sounds that form words. Speech sounds are developmental. This means that at certain ages, speech sounds are developed. The very first phonemes, or speech sounds, are /p/, /b/, /m/, and /h/. Factors that may interfere with acquiring speech sounds may include hearing loss, cleft palate, environmental factors and family history.

In order for a child to qualify for speech and language services at school, speech errors must be considered age appropriate and  must "adversely affect a child's educational performance."

Articulation therapy includes sound exercises where the therapist models and demonstrates the correct sounds and syllables for a child. The play activities are age appropriate and always related to phonology. Parents are a very important part of the therapy process and are encouraged to be involved with therapy activities at home.