Phonological process
Last updated
A phonological process is a predictable pattern young children use to simplify speech, such as dropping final sounds or saying t for k.
Topic: Speech and language
In plain terms
Common processes include final consonant deletion ("ca" for cat), fronting ("tup" for cup), stopping ("tun" for sun) and cluster reduction ("top" for stop). Most disappear by certain ages as speech matures. When they persist past the expected age, speech can be hard to understand, and therapy targets the pattern rather than one sound at a time.
How it shows up in an IEP
Goals target eliminating a process: "will produce final consonants in CVC words in 80% of opportunities." Progress on one pattern often improves several sounds at once.
Example
A 4-year-old says "do" for dog, "ca" for cat and "bu" for bus. The SLP targets final consonant deletion using minimal pairs like "bee" and "beet."
Related terms
- ArticulationArticulation is the physical production of speech sounds using the lips, tongue, teeth, jaw and palate.
- IntelligibilityIntelligibility is how much of a person's speech a listener can understand, often given as a percent of words understood.
- Phonological awarenessPhonological awareness is the ability to notice and work with the sound parts of spoken language, such as words, syllables, rhymes and individual sounds.
- SLP (speech-language pathologist)An SLP is a licensed professional who evaluates and treats speech, language, voice, fluency, social communication and swallowing disorders.
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