Syllable Structure Speech Sound Errors

Structure Speech Sound Errors

Structural errors are speech sound mistakes that change the shape or structure of a word or syllable (the drum ‘beats’ in a word, or how many ‘claps’ in a word). These patterns often make speech easier for children by adding, deleting, or rearranging sounds within a word. Some of the most common structure patterns are:

Age of Elimination

Age of elimination refers to the age when we expected most of the speech sound errors to have disappeared. Below is a table which shows when we typically see sound errors disappear from a child’s speech.

Structure speech sound errors are a normal part of early speech development as children learn how to form and organise words. Most children outgrow these patterns by the age of 3 to 5 years.

Please note the above information is general in nature and is not intended as professional medical advice. Please seek an appointment with a registered speech-language pathologist if you are at all worried about your child's development.

References:

• American Speech-Language-Hearing Association. (2022). Selected Phonological Processes. American Speech-Language-Hearing Association. https://www.asha.org/practice-portal/clinical-topics/articulation-and-phonology/selected-phonological-processes/

• Bowen, C. (2011). Table 2 - Phonological Processes. Www.speech-Language-Therapy.com. https://www.speech-language-therapy.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=30:table2&catid=11&Itemid=101

• Bowen, C. (2011). Table 3 - Elimination of Phonological Processes. Speech-Language-Therapy.com. https://speech-language-therapy.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=31:table3&catid=11&Itemid=101

Suggested Resources

FREEBIE Stone Age Struggle: /b/ Sound

Practice your child’s /b/ sounds with dangerous dinos in a fun interactive game.

FREEBIE Shopping Trip: /b/ Sound

Practice your child’s /b/ sounds by competing to see who can fill their shopping basket first.

FREEBIE Monster Madness: /b/ Sound

Practice your child’s /b/ sounds with mad monsters in a fun interactive game.