Phonological Disorders

Phonological disorders involve difficulties in the perception, production, representation, processing, and/or acquisition of the speech sounds and sequences of words of a language. Phonological disorders may affect speakers of any age, but the term is used most often in reference to childhood disorders. It is estimated that 10% of all preschoolers present with some form of phonological disorder; indeed, phonological disorders are one of the most common language disorders of childhood. The majority of children with phonological disorders require clinical intervention. The American Speech-Language-Hearing Association reports that children with phonological disorders constitute the single largest population on the caseload of practicing clinicians in U.S. public schools. The disorder also carries potential risks for related developmental, speech, academic, and other difficulties with possible lifelong consequences. Thus, ...