The Relationship Between Articulatory Deficits and Syntax in Speech Defective Children

Abstract

The relationship between articulatory deficits and the development of syntax in children with severe articulation problems was investigated. Subjects in the experimental group were 30 normal elementary school children, enrolled in grades one through three, who had severe problems with articulation. Thirty normal children, free from any articulation errors, served as a control group. Children with defective articulation performed significantly less well in the areas of grammatical usage, and used shorter sentences. The relationship between phonological and syntactical errors is discussed, with implications for therapy.