What type of speech disorder is characterized by affect the sounds in spoken language?

Phonological disorders specifically affect the sound system of a language, which includes rules for combining and producing sounds. Individuals with phonological disorders may have difficulty recognizing or producing sounds correctly, which can lead to challenges in articulating words properly. This disorder affects the phonemes, or distinct units of sound, that can change meaning in a language, resulting in speech that may be difficult to understand.

While stuttering is primarily characterized by disruptions in the normal flow of speech, such as repetitions or prolongations of sounds, it does not specifically focus on the production of individual sounds. Aphasia is a language disorder that can affect speech production, comprehension, reading, and writing, but it is more related to language processing rather than the phonological aspects of speech. Dysarthria, on the other hand, involves motor control issues that affect the muscles used for speech, which can lead to slurred or slow speech, rather than directly impacting the sound system of a language as a phonological disorder would. Thus, the distinct focus of phonological disorders on sounds in spoken language makes it the most accurate choice.