Phonetic-phonemic speech underdevelopment is a disorder in the formation of the pronunciation side of speech, which results from particular features in how children perceive and pronounce speech sounds (phonemes).
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Phonetic-phonemic speech underdevelopment is a disorder in the formation of the pronunciation side of speech, which results from particular features in how children perceive and pronounce speech sounds (phonemes).
Speech underdevelopment is a speech disorder characterized by impairment of one or several aspects of speech while intelligence is preserved and there is no hearing pathology.
Speech underdevelopment can be of two types: general and phonetic-phonemic. Specialists know how to tell GSU from PPSU, but parents can also identify the nature of the disorder by observing the child.
General speech underdevelopment (GSU) is a disorder in which children with good hearing and intelligence show a number of features:
Phonetic-phonemic speech underdevelopment is a disorder in the formation of the pronunciation side of speech, which results from particular features in how children perceive and pronounce speech sounds.
To understand what phonetic speech underdevelopment is, it is important to identify its signs:
The speech therapist's task is to teach the child to pronounce and remember the correct sound of all the affected sounds, and then to distinguish them from those that are easier to perceive.
If a child does not speak at all at age 3, the cause of the speech delay should be determined. Underdevelopment implies a low level of development of one or another speech function. It is important to find out how well the child understands speech and what condition the speech organs are in.
Impaired speech comprehension is a malfunction of the central nervous system in which it seems that the child does not hear speech addressed to them and therefore cannot learn to speak.
To check comprehension, it is important to use words only, without gestures:
If the child has a physical hearing impairment, you should see an ENT specialist (otolaryngologist). If the child has difficulty with the tasks, sensory alalia and delayed speech development are possible. Correction requires speech therapy sessions or attending a specialized kindergarten group.
If the tasks are not a problem, it is important to check the mobility of the speech organs.
At our clinic you can get a speech therapist's conclusion for kindergarten.
Specialized kindergarten groups use special programs for teaching children with underdevelopment of the phonetic system of speech. It is especially important for children over 5 to attend such sessions when preparing for school.
The goals of the sessions are to:
Advantages of individual sessions with a speech therapist:
In the correction of phonetic-phonemic speech underdevelopment, articulation exercises are used: a set of exercises designed to train the organs involved in forming speech sounds, namely the tongue, lips, cheeks and lower jaw.
The exercises can generally be divided into three groups:
For best retention, it is recommended to do the exercises 3-4 times a day for 5-7 minutes.
To develop phonemic hearing, it is recommended to do playful activities with preschoolers:
You can also memorize a short couplet, which will help develop memory as well.
Exercises for developing phonemic hearing in schoolchildren:
Practicing sound pronunciation in front of a mirror while remembering the position of the lips gives good results.
Parents should pay attention if at age 4 a child confuses sounds that are similar in pronunciation, swaps syllables or distorts words. Some adults may think this is normal and the child is simply too lazy to speak correctly. However, if the child has been examined by an ENT doctor and an audiologist and the hearing parameters are normal, PPSU should be suspected. Phonemic hearing plays an important role in correct speech development. When a child confuses sounds in words, difficulties with reading arise, and constant spelling mistakes appear in writing.
At our clinic, children are examined by experienced specialists, who carry out a comprehensive assessment and offer an individual program for correcting phonetic-phonemic speech underdevelopment in preschool children, as well as in children under 6. It is important to address the disorder before school to avoid problems in later learning.
It takes just one visit to our clinic for a consultation or assessment with a speech therapist to find out whether your child needs a speech therapist. A correct speech therapy diagnosis will show which direction to work in with phonetic underdevelopment.