Language Ability to Predict Subtypes of Speech Sound Disorder

Abstract

Objectives: The purpose of this study is to investigate whether there are differences in vocabulary, grammar, pragmatics, and early literacy skills according to subgroups of speech sound disorders (SSDs). Additionally, this study attempted to examine whether language ability could predict the subtype of SSDs suggested by Dodd’s model for differential diagnosis. Methods: Sixty-two children with SSDs aged 3-9 years were classified into groups with articulation disorders (AD), phonological delays (PD), and consistent/inconsistent phonological disorders (CPD/IPD). Vocabulary and grammar skills were evaluated, and pragmatics and early literacy skills was evaluated based on parental reports. Results: Children with SSDs exhibited significant differences in receptive/expressive vocabulary, receptive/expressive grammar, and early reading performance; but no significant differences were found in pragmatics and early writing. In general, children with AD showed significantly better performance in language than children within the other SSD subgroups, and the children with IPD showed lowest performance. This study showed that grammar was the best predictor of the subtypes of children with SSDs and was most vulnerable to children with SSDs. Conclusion: This study is significant in investigating and examining all aspects of language - vocabulary, grammar, pragmatics, and early literacy - of children with SSDs. This study suggests that the reception and expression of the grammar skills of children with SSDs should be evaluated in the clinical field.