What is an articulation disorder?

An articulation disorder specifically refers to a condition that affects the clarity and production of speech sounds. Individuals with this disorder have difficulty pronouncing sounds correctly, which can lead to impaired communication. This can manifest in various ways, such as substituting one sound for another (for example, saying "wabbit" instead of "rabbit") or omitting sounds in words entirely (like saying "ca" instead of "cat").

Understanding articulation disorders is fundamental in speech-language pathology because they are distinct from other types of disorders related to speech and language. For instance, neurological conditions typically involve broader cognitive or physical impairments that affect speech, while learning disabilities are more focused on processing difficulties, such as reading issues, which do not inherently relate to the production of speech sounds. Additionally, psychological disorders related to communication often involve emotional or social aspects rather than the mechanical aspects of speech sound production targeted in articulation disorders.