Clinical Challenges: Assessing Toddler Speech Sound Productions.

When assessing toddler speech sound productions, speech-language pathologists (SLPs) must be mindful of several important but not insurmountable limitations inherent to working with this young population for whom speech sound production may be of concern. These limitations include: (1) inconsistencies in recommended connected speech sampling size and phonetic transcription accuracy, (2) the prevalence of typical intraword variability for toddlers, (3) limited information regarding the reliability of informal measures of analysis, and (4) irregularities in available normative data for referencing speech sound development and mastery. This article includes a discussion of these factors, an overview of key assessment tools for single-word and connected-speech sampling, advice for current evidence-based practice procedures, and a thorough but not exhaustive listing of opportunities to improve clinical practice in this area. Despite limitations, SLPs working with toddlers have some tools and resources available to facilitate diagnostic procedures that allow for authentic decision-making regarding access to therapeutic services.