Treatment Approaches to Speech Sound Disorders: A Scoping Review

Abstract

Objective: The objective was to highlight and review different therapeutic approaches to cater to speech sound disorders in Pakistan.

Methodology: To find the different therapeutic approaches, a literature search for related articles/ publications was conducted using the Keywords “speech sound disorders, phonological disorders, articulation disorder and a combination of words using search engines like Google & and databases like PubMed and other websites.  Around 130 publications, reports, and articles were downloaded, of which 25 were used for literature review.    

Results:  There are many treatments used to cater for speech sound disorders including contextual utilisation, phonological contrast, complexity, core vocabulary, cycles phonological pattern, distinctive feature therapy, metaphor therapy, naturalist speech intelligibility, non-speech oral-motor therapy, speech sound perception training and bilingual or cross-lingual approach. However, novel trends like the use of hybrid treatment, speech motor learning- phonetic placement approach, blocked practice versus serial practice schedule & interventions using biofeedback need to be utilized.

Conclusion: Treatment approaches in use include contextual utilisation, phonological contrast, complexity, core vocabulary, cycles phonological pattern, distinctive feature therapy, metaphor therapy, naturalist speech intelligibility, non-speech oral-motor therapy, speech sound perception training and bilingual or cross-lingual approach, however, novel treatments need to be utilised.

Keywords: Articulation disorders, Phonological disorders, Phonological Representations