Artikulatsioonihäired

Artikulatsioonihäired, also known as speech sound disorders, refer to difficulties in producing speech sounds correctly. This can manifest as omitting sounds, substituting one sound for another, distorting sounds, or adding sounds that are not part of the word. These errors can affect individual sounds, syllables, or entire words, making speech difficult to understand.

The causes of articulation disorders are varied. Some are developmental, meaning they arise as a child learns to speak and may resolve on their own or with intervention. Others can be related to physical issues such as problems with the structure of the mouth, teeth, or palate, or neurological conditions that affect muscle control needed for speech. Hearing loss can also contribute, as a child may not accurately perceive the speech sounds they are trying to produce. In some cases, the cause remains unknown.

Children with articulation disorders may be at risk for academic difficulties, social challenges, and lower self-esteem if the issues are not addressed. Diagnosis typically involves a speech-language pathologist who assesses a child's speech production through various tests and observations. Treatment usually involves speech therapy, where exercises and strategies are used to help the individual learn to produce sounds correctly and integrate them into their speech. Early intervention is often key to achieving the best outcomes.