New Speech Sound Disorders Guidance published

Speech Sound Disorder (SSD) is an umbrella term, used internationally, that includes all sub-types of speech disorder. When a child’s speech is very difficult to understand compared to other children of the same age speaking the same language, the cause may be a speech sound disorder (SSD).   

Our updated guidance provides a useful resource for our members looking for information on the sub-types and aims to provide members with best practice guidance, an introduction to the evidence base and a springboard for further continued professional development (CPD) in this area.  

Specific public guidance has also been published in our Clinical Information section for anyone concerned about a child’s speech sound development or who has responsibility for looking after or providing services for children in the UK, this includes parents/caregivers, other family members and educational practitioners. 

The new guidance and resources were developed by a working group, which brought together a national group of expert SLTs to look at the available evidence and clinical experience of SLTs working in the field, in consultation with our membership. Find out more about how the RCSLT develop guidance.  

In addition to the resources on SSD, a new position paper on Childhood Apraxia of Speech (CAS) has been created to give further guidance on this specific condition. It’s recommendations now replace the Policy Statement on Developmental Verbal Dyspraxia (2011).  

We’d like to take the opportunity to thank everyone who has provided their expertise, feedback and input into the guidance at each stage of the process.