Developmental trajectories in toddlers' phonology

Abstract

This study investigated the prevalence of four developmental trajectories in toddlers’ phonology (persistent impairment, spontaneous catch-up, deterioration and age-appropriate) and the possible phonological differences between them. Forty-one toddlers were assessed twice at 6-month intervals. Their phonological abilities were evaluated both quantitatively and qualitatively. The results indicated that less than 17% of the toddlers with speech sound disorder caught up, even though some showed some improvement. No participant suffered any deterioration in speech. In terms of quantitative measures, toddlers with age-appropriate abilities differed significantly from those with speech sound disorders. No significant difference was found between the persistent and spontaneous catch-up groups. Toddlers who caught up spontaneously, however, produced no vowel errors, stopping, deaspiration or other unclassified atypical processes. Phonological patterns seem in fact to distinguish toddlers who catch up spontaneously from those who have persistent impairment. Clinical implications concerning timing and candidacy for intervention are also discussed.