The interaction of phonetics and phonology in developmental verbal dyspraxia: two case studies

Approaches to the treatment of developmental verbal dyspraxia based upon current theories about phonological development are explored. The author presents the concept of "bridging"; for example, making the transition from one sound to another or from one word to the next, as a reflection of the child's ability to generate hierarchical linguistic structures. The author suggests that children who have developmental dyspraxia must build phonological systems despite the fact that their ability to discover and use these hierarchical structures is impaired. Idiosyncratic patterns are expected, and should be used by the clinician to determine appropriate approaches to remediation for individual children. Case studies illustrate two children's shared difficulties in developing and using phonological hierarchies and the individual differences that provided a basis for appropriate remediation for each child.