Alexander Center > Common Conditions > Phonological disorder

Common conditions

This section includes conditions that can be evaluated and treated by Alexander Center professionals.


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Phonological disorder

Children who have phonological disorder have difficulty using certain speech sounds that other children their age use. Most children use all speech sounds by age 8.

The most difficult speech sounds for children with phonological disorder are r, l, s, ch, sh, z and v. Some vowels and other consonants also may be difficult for children who have more severe phonological disorder.

Symptoms

Leaving sounds out of words
Replacing right sounds with wrong (easier to say) sounds
Not pronouncing sounds properly

Tests, treatment

Your child may need to see a professional speech therapist, depending on the severity of the phonological disorder. Severity can be judged by the number of sounds used in error and which speech sounds are used incorrectly. If it is very difficult to understand a child, a speech therapist may be able to help.

Speech therapy will focus on difficult sounds, practicing them until your child understands them and says them clearly.