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Phonological disorder - Overview

Alternative Names

Articulation disorder; Developmental articulation disorder; Speech distortion; Sound distortion

Definition of Phonological disorder:

Phonological disorder is a type of speech disorder known as an articulation disorder.

Children with phonological disorder do not use some or all of the speech sounds expected for their age group.

Causes, incidence, and risk factors:

This disorder is more common in boys. About 3% of preschool children and 2% of children ages 6 - 7 have the disorder.

The cause of phonological disorder in children is often unknown. Close relatives may have had speech and language problems. Other risk factors may include poverty and coming from a large family.

Phonologic disorders may also be caused by:

Problems or changes in the structure or shape of the muscles and bones that are used to make speech sounds. These changes may include cleft palate and problems with the teeth.
Damage to parts of the brain or the nerves that control how the muscles and other structures work to create speech (such as from cerebral palsy).

Reviewed last on: 5/13/2010
Benjamin W. Van Voorhees, MD, MPH, Assistant Professor of Medicine, Pediatrics, and Psychiatry, The University of Chicago, Chicago, IL. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.

References

Friedman O, Wang TD, Milczuk. Cleft lip and palate. In: Flint PW, Haughey BH, Lund VJ, et al, eds. Cummings Otolaryngology: Head & Neck Surgery. 5th ed. Philadelphia, Pa: Saunders Elsevier;2010: chap 186.

Sharp HM, Hillenbrand K. Speech and language development and disorders in children. Pediatr Clin North Am. 2008;55:1159-1173.

Simms MD. Language disorders in children: classification and clinical syndromes. Pediatr Clin North Am. 2007;54:437-467.

Lyon GR, Shaywitz SE, Shaywitz BA. Specific language and learning disabilities. In: Kliegman RM, Behrman RE, Jenson HB, Stanton BF, eds. Nelson Textbook of Pediatrics. 18th ed. Philadelphia, Pa: Saunders Elsevier;2007:chap 32.

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