What type of disorder is described as affecting the phonetic level of speech processing?

Phonetic (articulation) disorder specifically targets the phonetic level of speech processing, focusing on the physical production of sounds. This type of disorder involves difficulties in the accurate articulation of speech sounds, which can result from various factors, including problems with the motor functions needed to produce clear speech. It emphasizes the actual sounds of speech—how they are made and pronounced—rather than the rules governing sound patterns or the underlying ability to structure language.

In contrast, a phonological disorder involves difficulties with the system and patterns of sounds rather than the articulation itself. This means a child with a phonological disorder may be able to produce the sounds physically but struggles with using them correctly in their language patterns. Language disorders typically concern broader issues related to vocabulary, grammar, and comprehension rather than the physical production of sounds. Neuromuscular disorders are more about the muscle control needed for speech and can encompass various broader impairments than specifically addressing phonetic articulation. Thus, the correct identification of a phonetic (articulation) disorder as affecting the phonetic level is based on its focus on the correct physical production of individual speech sounds.