Discover free eBooks, guides and med spa templates on our new resources page

Book a demo
☰
Why us
ICD Hub / Mental, behavioural or neurodevelopmental disorders (F01–F99) / 6A01.0 - Developmental speech sound disorder
ICD-11

ICD-11 Codes
for 6A01.0 - Developmental speech sound disorder
Teodor Jurukovski January 1, 1970
Fact checked by: Teodor Jurukovski
Use Code

Understanding Developmental Speech Sound Disorder (ICD-11 Code 6A01.0)

Developmental speech sound disorder, identified by the ICD-11 code 6A01.0, is characterised by difficulties in the acquisition, production, and perception of speech sounds. This condition results in errors in pronunciation that are outside the normal variation expected for a child's age and intellectual functioning. These speech errors can significantly affect a child's intelligibility and overall communication abilities. The disorder arises during the early developmental period and cannot be attributed to social, cultural, or environmental variations, nor is it fully explained by hearing impairment or structural or neurological abnormalities.

Signs and Symptoms of Speech Sound Difficulties

Children with developmental speech sound disorders may exhibit various signs, depending on the specific nature of their difficulties. Common symptoms include: * **Sound substitutions:** Replacing one sound with another (e.g., saying “wain” instead of “rain”). * **Sound distortions:** Altering a sound (e.g., saying “thith” instead of “this”). * **Sound additions:** Inserting extra sounds into words (e.g., saying “puhlay” instead of “play”). * **Sound omissions/deletions:** Leaving sounds out of words (e.g., saying “at” instead of “bat” or “coo” instead of “school”). * **Syllable-level errors:** Simplifying words by omitting or repeating syllables (e.g., saying “bay” instead of “baby”, or “baba” instead of “bottle”). * **Inconsistent productions:** Saying the same word differently across repetitions. These errors can impact speech intelligibility, making it challenging for others to understand the child.

Factors Associated with Speech Sound Disorders

Often, the precise cause of developmental speech sound disorders is unknown, classifying them as idiopathic. However, certain risk factors have been identified that may increase a child's likelihood of developing these difficulties. These include: * **Biological sex:** The condition is reported to be more prevalent in males than females. * **Developmental factors:** Such as prematurity, low birth weight, or complications during pregnancy and delivery. * **Family history:** A history of speech and language disorders within the family. * **Medical history:** Recurrent ear infections, hearing loss, or other sensory/perceptual conditions. * **Neurological or structural issues:** While not the primary cause for ICD-11 code 6A01.0, related conditions like childhood apraxia of speech, dysarthria, or structural abnormalities (e.g., cleft lip/palate) can present with speech sound difficulties. * **Environmental factors:** Such as low parental education level or lack of early language support in the home.

Diagnosing Speech Sound Disorders

Diagnosing a developmental speech sound disorder typically involves a comprehensive evaluation by a qualified speech-language pathologist (SLP). The process often begins with a hearing assessment to rule out hearing loss as a contributing factor. The SLP will then conduct a detailed speech assessment, which may include: * Formal articulation and phonological testing. * Analysis of spontaneous speech samples. * Observations of the child's mouth structures and movements during speech. * Play-based activities to elicit speech sounds in context. The SLP evaluates the child's sound productions, identifies error patterns, and determines if these errors are typical for the child's age or if they indicate a disorder. Consideration is given to dialectal variations and language differences to ensure an accurate diagnosis.

Therapeutic Interventions for Speech Sound Disorders

Treatment for developmental speech sound disorders is primarily managed through speech-language pathology. A tailored therapy plan is developed by the SLP to address the child's specific needs. Key components of intervention include: * **Sound establishment:** Helping the child learn to produce target sounds correctly. * **Generalisation:** Encouraging the child to use the new sounds consistently in words, phrases, and conversation. * **Phonological awareness:** Developing skills in understanding and manipulating speech sounds. Therapy sessions may be play-based or structured, incorporating the child's interests and family culture to enhance engagement and learning. Early intervention is crucial for optimal outcomes, helping children improve their speech clarity and communication confidence. In cases where physical issues affect speech, referrals to specialists like ENTs or orthodontists may be necessary.

Common Terminology for Speech Sound Disorders

Developmental speech sound disorder (ICD-11 code 6A01.0) is often referred to by several other clinical terms. These synonyms help capture a broader range of search queries related to speech difficulties. Common alternative terms include: * Speech sound disorder * Articulation disorder * Phonological disorder * Developmental phonological disorder * Specific speech articulation disorder * Developmental articulation disorder * Functional speech articulation disorder

Frequently asked questions

What is the ICD-11 classification meaning of Developmental speech sound disorder (6A01.0)?
Developmental speech sound disorder (6A01.0) is characterized by difficulties in the acquisition, production, and perception of speech, resulting in pronunciation errors outside the normal variation for age and intellectual functioning. These errors reduce intelligibility and significantly affect communication, arising during the early developmental period and not explained by social, cultural, environmental variations, hearing impairment, or structural/neurological abnormalities.
How does ICD-11 code 6A01.0, Developmental speech sound disorder, differ from Developmental language disorder (6A01.2)?
Developmental speech sound disorder (6A01.0) involves difficulties with speech sound production and pronunciation errors. Developmental language disorder (6A01.2) is characterized by persistent difficulties in the acquisition, understanding, production, or use of language. Phonological disorders can be a component of both, but 6A01.0 specifically addresses speech sound issues.
When should ICD-11 code 6A01.0, Developmental speech sound disorder, not be used as the underlying cause of death?
ICD-11 code 6A01.0, Developmental speech or language disorders, should not be used for the underlying cause of death if an underlying physical condition is known.
What are some included terms and exclusions for ICD-11 code 6A01.0, Developmental speech sound disorder?
ICD-11 code 6A01.0, Developmental speech sound disorder, includes terms such as Functional speech articulation disorder, Speech sound disorder, and Childhood apraxia of speech. Excluded conditions include Deafness not otherwise specified, Diseases of the nervous system, Dysarthria (MA80.2), and Verbal apraxia (MB4A).
×