Dyslalia is a speech disorder characterized by difficulties in correctly articulating speech sounds, which results in pronunciation errors.
Dyslalia, what it is
This issue is common during childhood, especially in stages when children are learning to speak and develop language; it generally manifests through the omission, substitution, distortion, or addition of sounds when pronouncing words.
Although dyslalia is a common condition at certain ages during speech development, if it persists beyond four or five years of age, it may be considered a disorder requiring professional intervention.
The origin of dyslalia is varied, but among the most common causes are functional issues, where there is some alteration in the functioning of the articulatory organs, including the tongue, lips, and palate.
It can also be due to physical problems such as a short lingual frenulum, dental malformations, or being born with a cleft lip and palate.
Hearing difficulties may prevent the child from correctly perceiving sounds, leading them to reproduce and produce them incorrectly.
Environmental influences and surrounding factors have also been linked to it; inadequate or insufficient language stimulation can trigger the onset of dyslalia.
When dyslalia is not treated promptly through speech therapy, it can impact the person’s social, academic, and emotional development, as it makes communication with others difficult and affects self-esteem.
Types of dyslalia
Depending on the origin and nature of the articulatory difficulties, there are different types of dyslalia. The main ones include:
- Evolutionary dyslalia: the most common type, occurring in children under four years old. It is considered a normal part of language development. During this stage, pronunciation errors are expected because the child is still learning to articulate correctly. For example, saying “wabbit” instead of “rabbit.”
- Functional dyslalia: occurs when the speech organs are structurally normal but functionally impaired in producing certain sounds. It is the most frequent form of this condition and usually affects sounds like r, s, l, and z.
- Organic dyslalia: also known as dysglossia, this type of dyslalia is caused by structural or anatomical problems in the speech organs, such as a short frenulum, cleft lip, palatal cleft, or dental malformations. In these cases, treatment may require surgery, orthodontics, or speech therapy.
- Audiogenic dyslalia: occurs when hearing problems prevent correct sound perception, making pronunciation difficult.
- Mixed dyslalia: occurs when multiple factors are present, forming a more complex condition that requires a comprehensive approach.
Dyslexia and dyslalia
Dyslexia and dyslalia are two distinct language disorders, but they can be related and share certain aspects.
Dyslexia is a specific learning difficulty that affects reading, writing, and word recognition, despite adequate intelligence and educational opportunities; whereas dyslalia focuses on difficulties in correctly articulating speech sounds.
The link between dyslexia and dyslalia lies in the fact that children with dyslalia may develop secondary reading and writing difficulties if pronunciation problems are not corrected in time, since accurate sound perception and production are fundamental to acquiring written language.
Although dyslalia is a common childhood disorder, when detected and treated early and appropriately, it can be resolved successfully. However, it is important to differentiate it from other language disorders.
Early intervention by a speech-language therapist, along with a comprehensive approach, is key to ensuring that the child can communicate clearly and develop linguistic and academic skills optimally.
At the ABC Medical Center’s Pediatrics Center, we can provide you with specialized care. Contact us!
Fuentes
Cigna, MedlinePlus
