Some children with developmental phonological disorders have other speech and language difficulties such as immature grammar and syntax, stuttering or word-retrieval difficulties. No matter what combination of difficulties a child with a developmental phonological disorder has, appropriate speech-language pathology treatment is usually successful in eliminating or at the very least, reducing the problem. As parents and professionals we are finally beginning to get some answers to these important questions. Current research is showing that it is because these children have poor phonological awareness in particular, and poor metalinguistic ability generally. Phonological awareness is the ability to recognise and manipulate the sounds and syllables used to compose words.
Metalinguistic ability is the capacity to think about and talk about language.
This is one reason for wanting to treat them early, at three or four years of age. The other main reasons for treating children with phonological disability early are that it can be frustrating, socially isolating, detrimental to self-esteem and confidence, and unpleasant generally, to have speech that is difficult to understand compared with the majority of children of similar age. If you have more questions and concerns about developmental phonological disorders, or you would like more information about children's speech sound disorders, including developmental apraxia of speech, go to this article. This guide shows how important the role of parents and teachers are in the treatment process. It has been written in clear and accessible style by Caroline Bowen PhD, an experienced Speech-Language Pathologist.