Alexis Irazoque, M.S., CCC-SLP
Part of a young child’s development is learning how to say words correctly. Some children make regular patterns of speech mistakes among certain words, called phonological processes. When these errors last past a certain age, it may be a sign of a speech sound disorder known as a phonological disorder.
Key takeaways
Phonological disorders involve a regular pattern of speech errors. The person may be able to make individual speech sounds correctly, but they have a hard time putting these sounds together to form words.
These patterns of sound errors are called phonological processes. They're simplified speech rules that children use to make speech easier as they’re learning to talk.
Making speech errors is part of childhood development, but most children can say almost all speech sounds by age 5.
Signs of a phonological disorder can include saying only one syllable in a word, simplifying a word by repeating two syllables, and leaving out or changing a consonant sound.
A speech therapist can teach a child how to “unlearn” the patterns of sound errors their brain created as they were learning to talk.
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Find a speech therapistWhat is a phonological disorder?
When child is learning to talk, some sounds tend to come easily, like /m/ and /b/. Other sounds, like /z/ and [th], can be harder. Making errors is part of the learning process, but most children can say almost all speech sounds by the time they’re 5 years old.
A child with a phonological disorder may be able to make individual sounds correctly, but they have difficulty putting these sounds together to form words. For example, they may be able to make the /g/ sound, but they swap it out for the /d/ sound in certain words. So, for example, the word “go” becomes “doe.”
Children with phonological disorders are often difficult to understand because they have so many speech sound errors. This can impact their language and literacy skills and affect their experience in the classroom.
What are the signs of a phonological disorder?
You may be wondering what a phonological disorder sounds like. Signs of a phonological disorder can include:
Saying only one syllable in a word–for example, "bay" instead of "baby"
Simplifying a word by repeating two syllables–such as "baba" instead of "bottle"
Leaving out a consonant sound–so for the word “bat,” a child might say "at" or "ba"
Changing certain consonant sounds–for example, "tat" instead of "cat"
These examples are what we call phonological processes. They’re patterns of sound errors, or simplified speech rules, that children use to make speech easier as they’re learning to talk. These kiddos aren’t even aware that this is happening! It’s simply a way their brain helps them learn to say difficult sounds and words.
How are phonological disorders treated?
We know it can be stressful to watch your child struggle to communicate their needs and ideas. The good news is that speech therapy can treat speech sound disorders.
In speech therapy, children can 'unlearn' the patterns of sound errors their brain created as they were learning to talk.
As we’ve discussed, children with a phonological disorder have difficulty learning how sounds fit together to make words. In speech therapy, they can “unlearn” the patterns of sound errors their brain created as they were learning to talk.
Your speech therapist will use exercises and activities that involve both listening and speaking to help your child reach this goal. As with all speech therapy for children, most of these activities will be play-based, often involving games or crafts. The ultimate goal is generalization–when a person can use their new speech skills correctly in a variety of places, such as at home, at school, and on the playground.
Use this speech sound development chart to track sounds by age, see examples and red flags, and know when an evaluation could help.
What happens in speech therapy for phonological disorders?
Speech therapy for phonological processes will start off with an evaluation. The speech therapist will assess the child’s current communication strengths and weaknesses. After the evaluation, the speech therapist will understand which sounds are being produced incorrectly and which types of phonological processes are present.
Once these processes are identified, the speech therapist will set goals for your child. Several sounds will likely be addressed at once. Remember, the goal is to help a child learn the correct "phonological rules" for different kinds of words.
There are many ways to treat phonological disorders. Speech therapy isn't 'one size fits all.'
There are many ways to approach treatment for speech sound disorders. Speech therapy isn't “one size fits all.” Severe phonological processes are like a puzzle, and each child has their own “code.” Choosing the best therapy approach for a child should be based on the number, type(s), and consistency of their phonological errors.
After your speech therapist chooses a treatment approach, keep in mind that there might be a "trial-and-error" aspect to treatment. The therapist will assess how your child does in sessions and ask you for feedback as well. That way they can adjust your child’s treatment plan as needed.
Children who can't pronounce certain sounds or words by an expected age may have a speech sound disorder. Learn about symptoms and treatment.
How you can help your child with their speech at home
While your speech therapist is an expert in speech and language disorders, you are the expert on your child! It’s important to keep talking with your child's speech therapist, so you know what your child is learning and can tell them how your child is doing at home.
Your speech therapist will show you how to help your child learn and practice their target speech sounds between sessions. You might use cues such as renaming sounds–for example, calling a sound that uses the vocal cords a “buzzy sound.” Or you might remind your child about “ending” their words by using the final consonants. Whatever your child’s goals are, your speech therapist will find a way that makes sense to the child to help them get the correct sound production.
The more you practice speech therapy skills, the faster progress happens. Get 10 tips to help your child practice speech at home.
How to find a speech therapist for your child
It’s important to find the right speech therapist to treat your child’s phonological disorder. Not only should the therapist have experience in this treatment area, they should also be someone you connect with. The two of you will be working a lot together, so it’s important to have a good partnership.
Talk with your child’s pediatrician for speech therapist recommendations. If applicable, you can also contact your insurance company for a list of in-network speech therapists. And it never hurts to ask family or friends whose children have had speech therapy.
You can get matched with an Expressable speech therapist who's experienced with phonological processes and start treatment right away. Find the right speech therapist for your child here!
Frequently asked questions (FAQs)
Phonological processes are incorrect speech sound patterns that children use to simplify words when they’re learning to talk. Examples include errors such as saying “wa-wa” for “water,” “pane” for “plane,” or “tun” for “sun.” These patterns help children learn to say difficult sounds and words.
Phonological processes are patterns of sound errors, or simplified speech rules, that children use as they’re learning to talk. These errors should go away between 3 and 5 years old. By age 5, a child's speech should be easy to understand by everyone, even people who don’t know them well.
“Stopping” is a type of phonological process in which one sound is substituted for another. In this case, a sound that is made with continuous airflow is replaced with a short sound. For example, a child may say “tee” for “see,” or “dump” for “jump.” Sounds with continuous airflow include /f/, /v/, /s/, /z/, “sh,” “ch,” “j,” and “th.” A child is expected to stop making these errors between 3 to 5 years old.
“Gliding” is a type of phonological process in which one sound is substituted for another. In this case, the /r/ and /l/ sounds are replaced with /w/ and “y” sounds. For example, a child may say “wabbit” for “rabbit,” or “yike” for “like.” A child is expected to stop making these errors between ages 6 to 7 years old.
The phonological process of fronting is a substitution error, meaning one sound is substituted for another. In this case, a sound made in the back of the mouth is replaced with a sound made in the front of the mouth. For example, a child may say “tar” for “car,” or “doe” for “go.” A child is expected to stop making these errors between ages 3 and 4 years old.
Yes, “backing” is a type of phonological process. It’s a substitution error, meaning one sound is substituted for another. In backing, a sound made in the front of the mouth is replaced with a sound made in the back of the mouth. For example, a child may say “cable” for “table,” using a /c/ sound instead of a /t/ sound.
In speech therapy, children can “unlearn” the patterns of sound errors their brain created as they were learning to talk. Your speech therapist will show you how to help your child practice their speech sounds at home, between sessions. You might use cues such as renaming sounds–for example, calling the /s/ sound their “snake sound.” Or you might remind your child about “ending” their words by using the final consonants, or using their “front” or “back” sounds. Visual cues like pointing to the lips can help, too. The more you practice at home with your child, the faster they’ll make progress! Your speech therapist will show you exactly what to do.
How Expressable Can Help
Concerned your child isn't reaching age-expected milestones? Looking for communication support from a professional? Expressable is a national online speech and occupational therapy practice serving children and adults. We treat all major areas of communication, feeding, and developmental skills, offer flexible hours including evenings and weekends, and accept most major health insurance plans. We’re proud to have earned more than 4,500 5-star reviews from our clients (4.83/5 average).
Our therapy model is centered on parent and caregiver involvement. Research proves that empowering caregivers to participate in their loved one’s therapy leads to better outcomes. That’s why we combine live, 1-on-1 speech and occupational therapy with personalized education and home practice activities for faster progress.
