Articulation Disorders
Articulation disorders occur when individual sounds or groups of sounds are produced incorrectly – for example lisping or an unclear R sound. With targeted speech therapy, these errors can be corrected at any age.
What are articulation disorders?
An articulation disorder is present when individual sounds or sound groups of a language are not produced correctly. Affected sounds can include, for example, sibilants (S, Z, Sh), the R sound, K and G sounds, or entire sound classes.
In childhood, certain pronunciation errors are developmentally normal. If they are not corrected spontaneously after the typical acquisition age, however, treatment is indicated.
Common forms
- Sigmatism (lisping) – incorrect production of sibilant sounds S and Z
- Rhotacism – altered or absent R sound
- Kappacism / Gammacism – errors with K and G sounds
- Phonological disorders – systematic simplification of entire sound classes
- Contact assimilation – substitution of sound clusters, e.g. 'Kreppe' instead of 'Treppe'
When is treatment advisable?
Children acquire sounds in a particular sequence. When certain sounds are not yet correctly produced at the age by which they should have been acquired, a speech therapy assessment is recommended.
In adults, articulation disorders from childhood can persist, or arise after neurological events. Treatment is effective at any age.
Causes
- Atypical tongue position or myofunctional disorder
- Short lingual frenulum (tongue tie)
- Hearing loss or auditory processing difficulties
- Neurological conditions (e.g. after stroke)
- Anatomical features of the oral cavity
- Frequent ENT infections or persistent mouth breathing
- Habitual thumb sucking or pacifier use
Our approach
We distinguish between phonetic disorders (motor sound production) and phonological disorders (the rule system governing sound use), as both require different therapeutic approaches.
Therapy starts with targeted elicitation of the target sound and progresses step by step towards spontaneous use in everyday conversation – playfully for children, structured for adults.
Therapy process
- 1Diagnosis: sound inventory and phonological profile
- 2Setting therapy goals
- 3Elicitation: practising the new sound in isolation
- 4Stabilisation: consolidating the sound in syllables, words and sentences
- 5Transfer: automating the sound in conversation and daily life
- 6Progress review and discharge
Frequently asked questions
When is the right time to start therapy?
For an interdental lisp (tongue between the teeth), a speech therapy assessment is advisable from age 4–5. If additional signs are present – such as a myofunctional disorder, persistent mouth breathing or increased saliva flow – an earlier start to therapy is recommended.
Can adults still correct articulation errors?
Yes – articulation disorders can be treated at any age. Therapy in adults may take a little longer because movement patterns are already automated, but it is very effective.
Does health insurance cover the costs?
Yes – with a doctor's prescription, statutory health insurers cover the therapy costs. Ask your GP or paediatrician for a referral.
Ready for the next step?
Book your first appointment online or get in touch with our practice in Erding.