Speech sound disorders (SSDs) are communication disorders that affect an children’s ability to produce speech sounds accurately and intelligibly. There are three main types of speech sound disorders:

1) Articulation Disorder

Articulation disorder is a speech disorder that involves difficulties in producing speech sounds accurately and clearly. Children with articulation disorder may substitute, omit, distort, or add certain sounds in their speech, making their speech difficult to understand.

2) Phonological Disorder

Phonological disorder is a speech disorder that involves difficulties in understanding and using the sound patterns and rules of a language.

3) Motor Speech Disorder

• Childhood apraxia of speech (CAS)

• Childhood dysarthria

A motor speech disorder is a condition that affects the ability to execute, plan, and coordinate the precise movements of the muscles used for speech production. Children with motor speech disorders may exhibit slurred speech, imprecise articulation, and variations in speech rate and rhythm. These disorders can be caused by neurological conditions or other underlying factors that disrupt the normal control of the muscles involved in speech production.

• Children with difficulty producing specific sounds

• Children with phonoogical disorder

• Children with childhood apraxia of speech (CAS)

• Children with dysarthria

• Children with reduced speech intelligibility due to atypical intonation, reduced vocal loudness, and atypical voice quality

• Children with cleft palate/lip

• Children with cochlear implants

• Children with hearing problems

Inaccurate speech sounds can reduce clarity, causing misunderstandings and social challenges. In childhood, these disorders hinder self-expression, impair communication with peers and adults, impacting self-esteem and confidence. They also affect classroom participation and academic progress. Speech therapy is vital for addressing these concerns and enhancing communication skills.

Early intervention is crucial as it prevents developmental impacts. Addressing sound disorders early improves communication, social interactions, and academics.

Our approach to addressing Speech Sound Disorders (SSDs) involves customized plans developed by skilled speech-language pathologists (SLPs). These plans are tailored to each child's unique traits, taking into account the specific type of SSD, error patterns, strengths, and learning style.

Our therapy includes traditional individual articulation sessions. For children who struggle with conventional methods, we offer alternative approaches like play-based or group sessions. Recognizing the significance of family involvement, we integrate home activities and provide family education for a comprehensive treatment approach.

Our clinicians are experienced in specialized techniques:

• PROMPT

• Speech Intelligibility Treatment (SIT)

• Dynamic Temporal and Tactile Cueing (DTTC)