A description and classification of the common disorders of speech in children

Abstract

Descriptions of the commoner defects of speech encountered in a hospital speech clinic largely devoted to the treatment of pre-school children have been presented. A new classification of speech disorders in childhood based on the major defect of speech and on associated clinical and psychological findings is given. It is emphasized that accurate diagnosis and classification of speech defects requires a team consisting of speech therapist, psychologist, paediatrician and otologist. The help of a social worker, neurologist, phonetician, child psychiatrist and other hospital staff may be required in both diagnosis and treatment. Criticisms are made of the classification of speech defects proposed by Morley (1957) on the grounds of the imprecise use of a few neurological terms and the lack of clear definition of some of the categories proposed, in terms of clinical findings. I have to thank Miss Morrison, Speech Therapist to the Royal Hospital for Sick Children, Edinburgh, and her assistants for their co-operation and interest during the investigation. I am indebted to Miss Mason, lately of the Psychology Department, University of Edinburgh, and Miss Mary Waller for the psychological examinations, Miss Sylvia Massey of the Department of Psychological Medicine for her psychiatric soCial reports, and Dr. Margaret Methven of the same Department for her consistent co-operation and help. Dr. Werner Schutt examined many of the patients from the paediatric point of view.