So, what is the difference between language and speech? Part 2: Speech

Speech relates meaning with sounds; it is the verbal means of communicating.  Speech includes 3 areas:

1. Articulation
• Refers to how speech sounds are made.  Speech-language pathologists (SLPs) may work on specific sounds or patterns of sounds.  For example:  An SLP may help a child correct his prevocalic /r/ sound, so instead of wabbit, he can say rabbit.  
2. Voice
• Refers to using the vocal cords and breath to produce sounds.  SLPs may work on decreasing vocal abuse which can lead to hoarseness, vocal fold nodules, etc.  Hypernasality (too much air through the nose) and hyponasality (not enough air through the nose on nasal sounds) may also fall under this heading.
3. Fluency
• Refers to the rhythm and smoothness of speech.  If fluency is disrupted, a person may stutter or hesitate when communicating.

Speech disorders and language disorders can present together or independently of one another and severity can range from a mild issue to a severe one.  If you have any concerns or questions regarding your child's speech and/or language development, please do not hesitate to contact us at 615-898-7461 or info@brightbeginningsptc.com.

                                  

How much of my child’s speech should I understand?

Frequently, we get calls from parents asking, “How much of my child’s speech should I understand?” or “How much of my child’s speech should others understand?” Often, parents understand their children better than others. If their child exhibits articulation errors, parents often become the translator between their child and their communicative partner.

Speech intelligibility refers to the percentage of conversational speech clearly understood by unfamiliar listeners. When children have decreased speech intelligibility due to articulation errors, they can become frustrated when others do not understand them, act out (e.g., hit, bite, etc.), or just give up on the conversation.

Listed below are age expectancies for speech intelligibility in conversational speech: 

•  19-24 months       25%-50% intelligible to unfamiliar listeners 
•  2-3 years              50%-75% intelligible to unfamiliar listeners
• 4-5 years              75%-90% intelligible to unfamiliar listeners
• 5+ years               90%-100% intelligible to unfamiliar listeners

If you have concerns with your child’s speech sound production or speech intelligibility in conversational speech, feel free to contact Bright Beginnings to speak to a speech language pathologist or schedule a free speech-language screening.