Misarticulation

Definition

Misarticulation, also known as an articulation disorder, is a speech sound disorder characterized by difficulty producing specific speech sounds correctly, which can involve substitutions, omissions, distortions, or additions of soundsMisarticulation refers to the inability to produce speech sounds in the correct manner, impacting the clarity and intelligibility of speech.

Types of Errors:
  • Substitution: Replacing one sound with another (e.g., saying “wabbit” instead of “rabbit”).
  • Omission: Leaving out a sound (e.g., saying “coo” instead of “school”).
  • Distortion: Producing a sound incorrectly (e.g., saying “thith” instead of “this”).
  • Addition: Adding an extra sound where it doesn’t belong (e.g., saying “puhlay” instead of “play”).

Causes:

  • Misarticulation can be caused by various factors, including:
  • Hearing loss .
  • Developmental delays .
  • Neurological conditions .
  • Structural abnormalities in the mouth or throat .
  • Weak muscles or lack of control over the tongue, jaw, or lips .
Impact:

Misarticulation can negatively impact an individual’s ability to communicate effectively, potentially leading to frustration, social difficulties, and low self-esteem.