Which statement describes a "functional" cause of a speech disorder?

A functional cause of a speech disorder is characterized by the absence of identifiable physical symptoms or structural anomalies that typically correspond to the speech issue. In this context, "functional" refers to disorders where the speech difficulties arise not from physical or structural abnormalities but from other underlying factors—often relating to how the brain processes language and speech or how individuals use their speech mechanism.

This aligns with the core definition of functional disorders, which are based on psychological or developmental factors rather than overt physical symptoms. They can manifest in various ways, such as articulation disorders, stuttering, or voice issues, despite the individual being physically capable of normal speech production.

In contrast, other options present causes that involve identifiable issues or environmental influences, which do not fit the definition of functional disorders. For instance, conditions with clear physical manifestations or anatomical malformations are categorized as organic causes of speech disorders, and environmental factors may contribute to speech difficulties but do not solely define them as functional. Thus, recognizing that a speech disorder can be functional is crucial in understanding the spectrum of causes leading to these disorders.