1. Articulation Errors:
* Substitutions: Replacing one sound with another (e.g., saying "w" instead of "r" in "rabbit").
* Omissions: Leaving out a sound (e.g., saying "at" instead of "cat").
* Distortions: Producing a sound that is close to the target sound but not quite right (e.g., a lisp where the "s" sounds like "th").
* Additions: Adding an extra sound (e.g., saying "buh-lack" instead of "black").
2. Phonological Processes:
These are patterns of sound changes that children often use, but they are not considered "standard" in adult speech. Some examples include:
* Final consonant deletion: Leaving out the last sound in a word (e.g., saying "ca" instead of "cat").
* Stopping: Replacing a fricative sound (like "f" or "s") with a stop sound (like "p" or "t").
* Cluster reduction: Simplifying consonant clusters (e.g., saying "train" as "tain").
3. Other Factors:
* Dysarthria: A speech disorder caused by weakness or paralysis of the muscles used for speech.
* Apraxia of speech: Difficulty planning and coordinating the movements needed for speech.
* Developmental delays: Some children may have difficulty with articulation due to developmental delays.
* Hearing loss: Hearing loss can affect the development of speech sounds.
It's important to note:
* Not all "improper" articulation is a disorder. Many young children go through a period of typical articulation development, and their errors will resolve on their own.
* If you are concerned about a child's articulation, it is important to consult with a speech-language pathologist for an assessment. They can help identify the underlying cause of the issue and provide appropriate therapy.
In summary, "improper articulation" is a broad term for any deviation from standard speech sound production. It can be caused by various factors and may be a sign of a speech disorder or a normal stage of development.