Almost 8% of U.S. children ages 3-17 have had a disorder related to voice, speech, language, or swallowing. Of those, about 30% have more than one disorder. The differences between diagnoses can be confusing, but Ability Central is here to help.

This article will address the specifics of articulation disorder by answering:

• What is articulation disorder?
• What is the difference between articulation disorder and phonological disorder?
• What are examples of articulation disorder speech errors?
• Is articulation disorder a speech disorder or a language disorder?
• What other speech disorders are there besides articulation disorder? 
• What does articulation disorder look like in adults?
• How does articulation disorder affect communication?
• What are the treatment options for articulation disorder?
• Where can I find help for articulation disorder?

What is articulation disorder? 

Articulation is the process people use to produce sounds, make syllables, and pronounce words. It includes everything from tongue placement to how the lips move. A person with articulation disorder may have trouble pronouncing words or speaking clearly. This is typically most evident in certain sounds, like replacing “th” with “s” or “r” with “w.” 

Articulation disorder is also called:

• Functional speech disorder
• Articulation delay
• Function speech sound disorder
• Speech articulation disorder

Articulation disorder occurs in children but may last into adulthood without appropriate intervention.

What is the difference between articulation disorder and phonological disorder?

Phonological disorders are more complex. Some sounds, like the K and the G, require subtle tongue or mouth movement changes. Sometimes, children unknowingly take shortcuts as they are learning to speak, like saying “gog” instead of “dog” or substituting “wat” for “rat.”

While these shortcuts are often a normal part of speech development, overreliance on shortcuts can cause a systematic problem in a child’s speech that goes beyond one or two articulation problems. 

An articulation error only affects a single sound, resulting from difficulties moving the mouth or tongue. On the other hand, when there is a consistent pattern of these articulation errors, it is called a phonological disorder.

What are examples of articulation disorder speech errors?

With articulation disorder, a person usually makes one or two articulation errors. Articulation disorder examples include:

• The person has a lisp, and their ‘s’ and ‘z’ sounds are distorted.
• They substitute sounds for both the ‘r’ and ‘er.’
• They have substitutions for multiple letter sounds, such as ‘th,’ ‘I,’ ‘sh,’ and ‘ch.’

Is articulation disorder a speech disorder or a language disorder?

While the terms “speech disorders” and “language disorders” are sometimes used interchangeably, they are two separate diagnoses. 

Speech is the ability to produce specific sounds and sound combinations. It is strictly verbal. Language, however, refers to the overall system of words and symbols. It can be written, spoken, or nonverbal. To that end, a speech disorder affects the way a person speaks, while a language disorder affects their comprehension and use of language.

Therefore, articulation disorder is a speech disorder, although it often occurs alongside certain language disorders. These co-occurring language disorders might include:

• Expressive language disorder. Someone with expressive language disorder struggles to communicate their message when speaking. It is not a speech disability, speech disorder, or speech impairment. To learn more, see Expressive Language Disorder: Top Seven Questions Answered.
• Receptive language disorder. Someone with receptive language disorder has difficulty understanding the meaning of what others say. See Receptive Language Disorder: Top Seven Questions Answered for more information.
• Mixed receptive-expressive language disorder. Expressive and receptive language can both be affected in the same person. When both expressive and receptive language disorders co-exist, it is called mixed receptive-expressive language disorder.

What other speech disorders are there besides articulation disorder? 

Articulation disorder is not the only diagnosis that affects speech. Other disorders that can cause speech impairments and impediments include: 

• Apraxia of speech
• Attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD)
• Autism-related speech disorders
• Dysarthria
• Orofacial myofunctional disorders
• Receptive disorders
• Resonance disorders
• Selective mutism
• Stuttering and other fluency disorders

What does articulation disorder look like in adults?

Articulation disorder most commonly occurs in children. If left untreated, the symptoms can last well into adulthood.

Some speech impairments and articulation problems can begin in adulthood as the result of:

• Stroke
• Brain injury
• Degenerative neurological or motor disorder
• Dementia
• Dental issues
• Hearing loss

How does articulation disorder affect communication?

As a speech disorder, articulation disorder makes it difficult to form spoken words that other people will understand. For this reason, kids and adults with articulation disorder might struggle to talk on the phone, form friendships, or speak up in school or the workplace.

Speech disorders can be isolating, embarrassing, or frustrating. People with articulation disorder might prefer texting or email over phone calls and video meetings. Especially for school-aged children, articulation disorder symptoms can lead to low self-esteem, avoidance of social situations, and fear of public speaking. 

It’s critical to start speech therapy for a child with articulation disorder right away. This is not only to assist with the speech symptoms themselves, but to learn social skills and compensation techniques that make the child feel most comfortable and confident. 

What are the treatment options for articulation disorder?

A speech-language pathologist (SLP) can diagnose and treat articulation disorder. Speech and language therapy may include the following:

• Identifying the sounds the person cannot make.
• Correcting the way a person creates certain sounds.
• Learning how to correctly use the tongue, lips, and mouth to form letters and words.
• Strengthening speech muscles.
• Practicing sound formation at home.

A mobile device with speech therapy apps may help with practice at home. Many apps “gamify” speech therapy, making treatment more fun and engaging for kids. Your SLP or pediatrician is a great place to start for recommendations.

Where can I find help for articulation disorder?

Ability Central offers a searchable database of nonprofits specializing in communication difficulties like articulation disorder. Use our Service Locator tool to find an organization near you that can help with everything from diagnosis to treatment. 

In addition, Ability Central hosts a library of articles on related conditions, including:

• Apraxia
• Attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder symptoms (ADHD)
• Autism spectrum disorder
• Dysarthria
• Expressive language disorder
• Hearing loss
• Receptive language disorder
• Stroke
• Stuttering