What are Phonological Processes?

Phonological processes are patterns children use to simplify adult speech. Understanding these patterns can help parents understand their child’s speech as they develop. Monitoring these patterns and seeking advice when needed can support a child’s speech development over time. In this post, we’ll delve into the world of phonological processes, exploring what they are, the types that exist, and how treatment at South Shore Therapies can help guide children along the path to improved speech intelligibility.

Phonological processes are natural sound error patterns that children use to simplify speech as they are learning to talk. These patterns make it easier for them to communicate until they produce can produce more intelligible speech. A common example includes simplifying the word “stop” to “top” by omitting the initial “s” sound. Over time, as children grow older and their communication skills advance, these patterns should be resolved. When they don’t, speech therapists like us are here to help.

Recognizing and understanding these phonological processes can help parents and caregivers better understand their child’s speech development trajectory. Below we have outlined some common phonological processes, segmented into three categories: syllable structure changes, substitutions, and assimilations.

Syllable Structure Changes:

• Cluster Reduction: Simplifying a consonant cluster to a single sound (e.g., “poon” for “spoon”).
• Final Consonant Deletion: Omitting the final consonant in a target word (e.g., “cu” for “cup”).
• Initial Consonant Deletion: Beginning consonant within a target word is omitted (e.g., “oggy” for “doggy”).
• Weak Syllable Deletion: Omitting an unstressed syllable within a word (e.g., “nana” fpr “banana”).

Substitution: 

• Fronting: Sound made in the back of the mouth is replaced with a sound made in the front of the mouth (e.g., “tar” for “car”).
• Backing: Sound made in the front of the mouth is replaced with a sound made in the back of the mouth (e.g., “gog” for “dog”).  
• Stopping: Replacing fricative or affricate sounds with stop sounds (e.g., “tee” for “see”). 
• Gliding: Replacing liquids (/l/ and /r/) with glide sounds (/r/ and /w/).

Assimilation:

• Velar Assimilation: non-velar sound changes to a velar sound due to the presence of a neighboring velar sound (e.g., “kack” for “tack”).
• Nasal Assimilation: non-nasal sound changes to a nasal sound due to the presence of a neighboring nasal sound (e.g., “money” for “funny”).

What is a Phonological Disorder?

When the use of a phonology speech sound persists beyond the age-appropriate time, it may indicate a phonological disorder—a type of speech sound disorder.

When Should I See a Speech Pathologist?

If your child is showing any of the following phonological disorders—predictable rule-based errors, (e.g., fronting, stopping, and final consonant deletion) that affect more than one sound—a visit to a speech-language pathologist (SLP) is recommended. Early intervention can be critical in addressing phonological disorders and supporting clear communication.

Treatment for Phonological Disorders

A speech and language pathologist is trained to identify and treat phonological disorder with your children. At South Shore Therapies we emphasize individualized approaches to address your child's unique needs and help them reach their optimal potential.

Involving the Family

Incorporating family members into the therapy process is an important pillar for progress. At South Shore Therapies, we emphasize the importance of family training and home carry over to support skill acquisition. This may involve practicing exercises or activities provided by your therapist at home, which reinforces the therapeutic efforts and can accelerate progress.

Reach Out to South Shore Therapies Today

Phonological processes are a natural aspect of speech development in children. Understanding these intricate paths and processes are fundamental to determine presence of disorder. Recognizing the signs of a phonological disorder can lead to early intervention and improved outcomes.

If you're in the Hingham, Pembroke, or Norwood areas of Massachusetts, call 781-335-6663 to schedule an intake call to learn how South Shore Therapies can help. Together, we can unlock the potential for clear and effective communication in your child, making sure their voice is heard accurately and with confidence. Visit the South Shore Therapies website for more information on our services and how we can support your child's speech journey.