Phonological Processes

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Phonological Processes

Information taken from Super Duper Inc. and Playing with Words 365

WHAT ARE PHONOLOGICAL PROCESSES?

Phonological processes are the patterns that children use to simplify speech.  All children use these patterns as they are learning speech and language.  Speech and language skills improve as children grow older and they stop trying to simplify words.  By age 5 most children should stop using phonological processes.

WHAT ARE THE DIFFERENT PHONOLOGICAL PROCESSES?

Below you will find a list of the more commonly seen phonological processes.  Not all phonological processes are listed.   

Syllable structure processes:  Sound changes that cause the sound to be reduced, repeated, or deleted

  • Final consonant deletion: Deletion of the final sound in a word
  • Example: “ball” à “ba”
  • Eliminated by age 3
  • Initial consonant deletion: Deletion of the initial sound in a word
  • Example: “ball” à “all”
  • This is a more severe phonological delay
  • Consonant reduction: Reduction of a consonant cluster (i.e., spot)
  • Example: “spot” à “pot”
  • Eliminated by age 4

Substition proceses:  Sound changes that cause one sound class to replace another sound class

  • Gliding: When /r/ à /w/ or /l/ à /w/ or /y/
  • Example: “rabbit” à “wabbit” or “lamp” à “wamp”
  • Eliminated by age 5
  • Fronting: Substitution of a sound produced in the back of the mouth for a sound that is produced in the front of the mouth
  • Example: “key” à “tea”, “go” à “toe”, or “show” à “so”
  • Eliminated by age 3.5
  • Backing: Substitution of a sound produced in the front of the mouth for a sound that is produced in the back of the mouth
  • Example: “cookie” à “tootie”
  • This is a more severe phonological delay
  • Stopping: Substitution of a stop consonant
  • Example: “knife” à “knipe”
  • Eliminated by age 3-5 depending on the sound
  • Vowelization (vocalization): Substitution of the /l/ or /er/ sound with a vowel
  • Example: “apple” à “appo”

Assimilation Processes:  Sound changes where one sound will impact other sounds

  • Reduplication: Reduplication of a complete or uncomplete syllable
  • Example: “water” à “wawa”
  • Eliminated by age 3
  • Assimilation: When a sound starts to sound like other surrounding sounds
  • Example: “thank” à “gank”
  • Eliminated by age 3

OUR APPROACH AT KEY THERAPIES:

Treatment for phonological disorders will focus on targeting the phonological processes instead of targeting the individual sound error.  A home program will also be taught to caregivers so that follow-through can be completed at home. 

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