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Specific disorders of speech articulation (dyslalia) in children
Last reviewed: 07.07.2025
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The group of specific disorders of speech and language development (dyslalia) is represented by disorders in which the leading symptom is a violation of sound pronunciation with normal hearing and normal innervation of the speech apparatus.
Epidemiology
The frequency of articulation disorders is established in 10% of children under 8 years of age and in 5% of children over 8 years of age. In boys, they are found 2-3 times more often than in girls.
Classification
Functional dyslalia is a defect in the reproduction of speech sounds in the absence of organic disorders1 in the structure of the articulatory apparatus.
Mechanical dyslalia is a disorder of sound production caused by anatomical defects of the peripheral speech apparatus (bad bite, thick tongue, short frenulum, etc.).
Causes and pathogenesis of dyslalia
The cause of articulation disorders is not fully known. Presumably, the disorders are based on a delay in the maturation of neuronal connections caused by organic damage to the speech zones of the cortex. There is evidence of a significant role of genetic factors. An unfavorable social environment and imitation of incorrect speech patterns are of certain importance.
Symptoms of dyslalia
Articulation disorders are expressed in a persistent inability to use speech sounds in accordance with the expected level of development, including incorrect reproduction, omissions, substitutions for incorrect ones, or insertion of unnecessary phonemes.
The basis of the articulation defect is the inability to voluntarily adopt and maintain certain positions of the tongue, palate, lips, necessary for pronouncing sounds. The intellectual and mental development of children corresponds to their age. Associated disorders in the form of attention disorders, behavioral disorders, and other phenomena can be observed.
Differential diagnostics
Identification of anatomical defects that could cause pronunciation disorders, in connection with which a consultation with an orthodontist is necessary.
Differentiation from secondary disorders caused by deafness is based on audiometric examination data and the presence of qualitative pathological signs of speech pathology.
Differentiation from articulation disorders caused by neurological pathology (dysarthria) is based on the following signs:
- dysarthria is characterized by a slow speech rate and the presence of disturbances in chewing and sucking functions;
- The disorder affects all phonemes, including vowels.
In doubtful cases, to conduct differential diagnostics and establish the anatomical focus of the lesion, instrumental studies are carried out: EEG, echoencephalography (EchoEG), MRI of the brain, CT of the brain.
Prevention
It is no different from the prevention of other types of speech and language disorders.
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