Speech Sound Disorder

Continuing with the series on neurodevelopmental disorders, this post is on the diagnostic criteria of speech sound disorder.

(Text in italics are pulled directly from the DSM-5 followed by my explanation of the information)

Criterion A

Persistent difficulty with speech sound production that interferes with speech intelligibility or prevents verbal communication of messages

• This criterion focuses on the difficulty an individual has when forming the sounds needed to form words

Criterion B

The disturbance causes limitations in effective communication that interfere with social participation, academic achievement, or occupational performance, individually or in any combination

• Due to the difficulty in forming words on a consistent basis it negatively impacts the individual’s ability to be social, perform academically or occupationally (i.e., work).

Criterion C

Onset of symptoms is in the early developmental period

• The symptoms of this disorder are present early in an individual’s life.

Criterion D

The difficulties are not attributable to congenital or acquired conditions, such as cerebral palsy, cleft palate, deafness or hearing loss, traumatic brain injury, or other medical or neurological conditions.

• The issues outlined in this disorder are not due to other disorders that would also make it difficult to form words effectively. Conditions as the one’s outlined above may also cause similar issues and need to be ruled out prior to providing this diagnosis to an individual.

Pic sourced from Baker Speech Clinic that provides assistance for children diagnosed with this disorder