Residual Speech Sound Errors

Residual speech sound errors are misarticulations that persist past the normative age of sound mastery and are typically observed in children 9 years or above. Many, but not all, children with residual speech sound errors have received long-term intervention for speech disorder. It is commonly believed that most residual speech sound errors are normalized by adulthood. Although prevalence data are limited, it is estimated that less than 2% of adults present with residual speech sound errors.

Speech sound disorder classification systems typically identify a subtype characterized by phonetically based residual speech sound errors. Some researchers make a further distinction between residual and persistent speech sound errors. According to this view, residual speech sound errors may be remnants of a more widespread speech sound disorder that probably ...