Phonetic-phonemic underdevelopment (PBU) - causes and signs of phonetic-phonemic underdevelopment (PBU)

There are the following levels of this disorder:

• Primary – characterized by a primary disorder in phonemic perception. The level of mastering sound analysis is reduced, as well as the level of its actions.
• Secondary – characterized by the appearance of a secondary disorder in phonemic perception. There are speech defects (kinesthesia) that arise as a result of anatomical abnormalities in the development of speech organs.

This disease can also be:

• congenital – occurs as a result of a violation of intrauterine development of the fetus;
• acquired – develops throughout life.

Causes

Experts identify a large number of factors and causes that can provoke the development of this speech disorder.

The following reasons cause the occurrence of congenital speech apparatus disorders:

• anomalies in fetal development;
• severe toxicosis of the mother during pregnancy;
• endocrine and viral diseases of the mother during pregnancy;
• various injuries;
• intoxication;
• incompatibility of the child's and mother's blood by the Rh factor;
• fetal asphyxia and, as a consequence, intracranial hemorrhage;
• birth injury.

The most severe defects in the speech apparatus occur under the influence of these causes during the critical period of pregnancy (from one to four months).

Reasons for the development of acquired disorders:

• various diseases of the child during the first year of life (especially viral);
• heredity;
• brain injuries;
• adverse environmental influences;
• emotional stress during the period when the speech system of children is maturing;
• long-term or acute psychotraumatic situations.

Symptoms

The following symptoms are characteristic of phonetic-phonemic underdevelopment:

• cleft lips (bifurcation) and palate;
• high “Gothic” palate;
• various bite defects;
• various developmental defects;
• delay in maturation of the nervous system;
• difficulty in differentiating pronunciation of certain sounds;
• inability to distinguish certain sounds against the background of a word or determine their sequence and quantity;
• unclear articulation;
• grammatical structure of speech and vocabulary within normal limits;
• instability of voluntary attention;
• narrowing of memory capacity;
• difficulty switching;
• difficulty in understanding various abstract concepts.

Diagnostics

Early diagnosis is of great importance, since pedagogical and medical correction will have a more positive effect. You can consult a pediatrician or a psychologist. In case of significant speech disorders, you need to make an appointment with a speech therapist. You also need to see an otolaryngologist.

Diagnostics of phonetic-phonemic underdevelopment consists of the following:

• taking anamnesis;
• examining the mobility and condition of the articulatory apparatus;
• assessing the state of the respiratory and vocal functions.

Treatment

Correction of this disorder consists of classes with a speech therapist and a psychologist.

Prevention

Preventive measures for this disorder consist of following the following recommendations:

• preventive examination by specialists;
• classes with the child in order to form correct pronunciation;
• harmonious development of children.