Articulation Disorders
Expert articulation therapy for each sound to be produced correctly and clearly.
Articulation disorders occur when speech sounds cannot be produced correctly in an age-appropriate manner. Children may omit certain sounds, substitute them with other sounds, distort them, or make additions to sounds. This condition reduces the intelligibility of speech, negatively affecting the child's capacity to communicate. As Önce Special Education, we offer individualized and evidence-based therapy programs for articulation disorders at our center in Pendik, Istanbul.
Every language has its own unique phoneme inventory, and children acquire these sounds in a specific developmental order. Some sounds in Turkish (e.g., /r/, /s/, /z/, /ş/) are acquired later, while others (/b/, /m/, /p/) are gained in the early period. A diagnosis of articulation disorder is made when a child still cannot correctly produce the sounds they are expected to acquire for their age. We offer comprehensive articulation evaluation and target-oriented therapy services to families applying to our center from Pendik and the Anatolian Side of Istanbul.
Articulation therapy is a systematic process that enables the child to learn to produce target sounds with correct motor movements. In therapy, a gradual progression is followed, starting from the isolation level up to syllables, words, sentences, and conversation levels. At our center, the therapy process is made enjoyable and motivating with play-based activities tailored to the child's age and interests. We support your child in speaking clearly and understandably with our experienced therapists in special education in Istanbul Pendik.
Who Is It For?
- Children who cannot produce certain sounds (e.g., /r/, /s/, /k/) correctly despite their age
- Children whose speech is difficult to understand for their peers and adults
- Children who confuse or omit sounds (e.g., saying "aaba" instead of "araba")
- Children who cannot eliminate phonological processes within the age-expected timeframe
- Individuals with articulation issues due to cleft lip and palate or other structural differences
How Does It Work?
A comprehensive articulation and phonology evaluation is conducted to analyze all the child's speech sounds and identify incorrect sounds.
Oral-facial motor skills (oral motor examination) are evaluated to investigate structural or functional issues.
Target sounds are identified, and a gradual therapy program is implemented in the order of isolation → syllable → word → sentence → conversation level.
Correct sound production is taught to the child using visual, auditory, and tactile cues.
Generalization of skills acquired in therapy to daily speech is ensured through home programs and family guidance.
Benefits
Frequently Asked Questions
My child mispronounces some sounds, is this normal?
Some sounds are developmentally acquired later; for example, the /r/ sound can continue to develop until ages 6-7. However, if many sounds are still produced incorrectly after age 4, or if speech is largely unintelligible, professional evaluation is recommended. We evaluate your child's sound development relative to their age at our Pendik center.
How long does articulation therapy take?
The duration varies according to the number of incorrect sounds, the severity of the disorder, and the child's age. While correcting a single sound may take a few months, a process of six months to a year can be anticipated for multiple sounds. At Önce Special Education, we monitor progress with regular assessments.
Does pacifier and bottle use cause articulation disorders?
Long-term pacifier and bottle use can negatively affect the development of oral-facial muscles and pave the way for some articulation problems. It is recommended to discontinue pacifier use after age 2 and transition to drinking from a cup. We also counsel families on oral motor development at our center.
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Free Assessment Appointment
Our experts evaluate your child's developmental needs for free.
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