Phonological Disorder

According to the DSM-IV, the diagnostic criteria for a Phonological Disorder is:

A. Failure to use developmentally expected speech sounds that are appropriate for age and dialect (e.g., errors in sound production, use, representation, or organization such as, but not limited to, substitutions of one sound for another [use of /t/ for target /k/ sound] or omissions of sounds such as final consonants).
B. The difficulties in speech sound production interfere with academic or occupational achievement or with social communication.
C. If Mental Retardation, a speech-motor or sensory deficit, or environmental deprivation is present, the speech difficulties are in excess of those usually associated with these problems.

Danny doesn't have "C" Mental Retardation, but he fits the first two, making it tough to understand his speech a lot of the time. Originally we were told that he had "Phonological Processing Disorder" but according to SLP's out there, this is simply a very inappropriate label to use. And they get very, VERY snitty about their labels! So, if you've been told your child has THAT label (like we have) you should just slap yourself silly for the believing that error, omit the word "processing" and move on! OK, glad we've settled that!
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