WEST-E Special Education Practice Test

Which disorder involves difficulty in articulating sounds and can be classified as phonological or fluency disorders?

1. Language Disorder

2. Speech Disorder

3. Communication Disorder

4. Expressive Language Disorder

The correct answer is: Speech Disorder

The term that accurately describes a condition involving difficulty in articulating sounds, which encompasses issues related to phonological and fluency disorders, is a speech disorder. Speech disorders pertain specifically to problems with the production of sounds and may manifest as an inability to say certain sounds correctly, interruptions in the flow of speech, or other articulatory challenges. Phonological disorders specifically affect the rules and patterns of sounds in speech, while fluency disorders pertain to the flow of speech, including issues like stuttering. Both aspects are integral components of speech disorders, making this classification the most appropriate. Other options define broader or more specific categories, such as language disorders, which involve difficulties with understanding or using language, communication disorders, which cover a wider range of issues beyond speech, and expressive language disorders, which focus on difficulties in expressing language rather than articulating it. Thus, the focus on sound production and articulation aligns most precisely with the definition of a speech disorder.