What is the initial assessment focus for a child showing signs of sound omissions and hypernasality?

The initial assessment focus for a child exhibiting sound omissions and hypernasality revolves around velopharyngeal function. This focus is critical because hypernasality often indicates that there may be inadequate closure of the velopharyngeal mechanism, which can lead to an excessive escape of air through the nose during speech. When assessing these children, clinicians examine how well the velum (soft palate) elevates and closes off the nasal cavity from the oral cavity, which is essential for producing oral speech sounds without excessive nasal resonance.

Addressing velopharyngeal function allows the clinician to determine whether the hypernasality is a result of a structural or functional issue, and it informs further intervention strategies. Understanding this aspect can be essential in developing a treatment plan that targets the specific needs of the child, particularly if they require additional support or surgery to improve their speech production capabilities.

While oral-motor behavior, laryngeal function, and phonological awareness are important areas to consider in speech assessment, they do not directly address the primary symptoms of sound omissions in conjunction with hypernasality in the same way that evaluating velopharyngeal function does. Focusing on the velopharyngeal mechanism can lead to identifying the root cause of