Speech Disorders

What are types of Speech Disorders?

When a person is unable to produce speech sounds correctly or fluently, or has problems with his or her voice, then he or she has a speech disorder

Types of speech disorders:

  • Misarticulation/ phonological disorder
  • Articulation disorder involves problems making sounds. Sounds can be substituted, left off, added or changed. These errors may make it hard for people to understand you. Example- wabbit for rabbit, doth for dog. Misarticulations are also seen in children with cleft lip and palate.
  • Motor Speech Disorder/ Dysarthria
  • A person with dysarthria may demonstrate the following speech characteristics:
  • “Slurred,” “choppy,” or “mumbled” speech that may be difficult to understand
  • Slow rate of speech
  • Rapid rate of speech with a “mumbling” quality
  • Limited tongue, lip, and jaw movement
  • Abnormal pitch and rhythm when speaking
  • Changes in voice quality, such as hoarse or breathy voice or speech that sounds “nasal” or “stuffy”
  • Apraxia Of Speech

Children have problem in saying sounds, syllables, and words. This is not because of muscle weakness or paralysis. The brain has problems planning to move the body parts (e.g., lips, jaw, tongue) needed for speech.