https://ijmri.de/index.php/jmsi
volume 4, issue 3, 2025
778
PSYCHOLINGUISTIC METHODS FOR CORRECTING SPEECH DISORDERS
Akhmedova Khilolaxon Rasuljon kizi
Master's degree Linguistics 2nd year master's student
Namangan State University
Abstract:
This article explores psycholinguistic approaches used in the correction of speech
disorders. The paper highlights the theoretical foundations of psycholinguistics as a science,
analyzes methods aimed at restoring speech activity through cognitive-linguistic mechanisms,
and presents practical applications of psycholinguistic techniques in speech therapy. Special
attention is given to the interaction between language, cognition, and communication processes
in individuals with speech impairments. The article concludes that psycholinguistic correction
methods provide a scientifically grounded and effective framework for diagnosing and treating
various types of speech disorders.
Kеywоrds:
Psycholinguistics, speech correction, speech disorders, cognitive processes, language
therapy, communication rehabilitation, speech therapy methods.
INTRОDUСTIОN
Speech disorders represent a complex phenomenon where multiple cognitive, neurophysiological,
and linguistic factors interplay. Traditional methods of speech therapy often focus primarily on
articulation and phonetic aspects; however, recent advances in psycholinguistics have
demonstrated that a deeper understanding of mental language processing mechanisms can
significantly enhance the effectiveness of speech correction. Psycholinguistics, which examines
the cognitive and neural processes underlying language comprehension and production, offers
powerful tools for diagnosing, analyzing, and treating speech disorders. The purpose of this
article is to explore psycholinguistic methods that are used for correcting speech disorders,
discuss their theoretical underpinnings, and highlight their application in therapeutic practices.
MАTЕRIАLS АND MЕTHОDS
Psycholinguistic methods for correcting speech disorders are built on the fundamental idea that
speech is not just a mechanical articulation of sounds but a complex cognitive process involving
perception, memory, attention, and mental linguistic structures. Therefore, the correction of
speech pathologies should target not only the physical aspects of speech production but also the
underlying cognitive and linguistic deficits.
One of the core psycholinguistic techniques is semantic mapping and categorization exercises,
where patients are trained to organize words and concepts in meaningful hierarchies. This
method enhances lexical access and strengthens the associative networks in the brain, which are
often weakened in individuals with speech impairments such as aphasia. By systematically
activating semantic fields, patients gradually recover their ability to retrieve and produce relevant
lexical items in speech [1].
RЕSULTS АND DISСUSSIОN
Another important method is narrative therapy, which focuses on reconstructing patients’ ability
to build coherent stories. Narratives require the organization of events in a logical and temporal
sequence, thus activating various cognitive and linguistic subsystems. In psycholinguistic
narrative therapy, patients are encouraged to produce personal stories, retell known tales, or
complete stories from prompts, thereby stimulating syntactic structuring, vocabulary enrichment,
and pragmatic skills.
https://ijmri.de/index.php/jmsi
volume 4, issue 3, 2025
779
Metalinguistic awareness training is another significant psycholinguistic approach. It involves
helping individuals with speech disorders develop an explicit understanding of language
structures, such as the ability to identify phonemes, recognize syntactic patterns, and manipulate
word forms. Research shows that higher levels of metalinguistic awareness correlate with better
outcomes in speech therapy, as patients become active participants in monitoring and adjusting
their own speech behavior [2].
Cognitive training targeting working memory and attention also plays a pivotal role in
psycholinguistic speech therapy. Since language processing heavily depends on the ability to
hold and manipulate information in working memory, exercises that strengthen these cognitive
functions indirectly contribute to more fluent and accurate speech production. Tasks such as
repeating complex sentences, following multistep instructions, and memory span activities are
integrated into speech therapy sessions to support language rehabilitation.
A psycholinguistic correction model would be incomplete without addressing phonological
processing. Individuals with speech disorders, particularly dysarthria and apraxia of speech,
often experience disruptions in phonological encoding. Phonological awareness tasks, minimal
pair discrimination, and phoneme segmentation exercises aim to rebuild the pathways that
support the accurate formation and retrieval of speech sounds.
In recent years, technology-assisted psycholinguistic interventions have gained popularity.
Computer programs and mobile applications designed for speech therapy often incorporate
psycholinguistic principles, providing interactive tasks that target lexical retrieval, syntax
building, and auditory discrimination. Virtual reality (VR) and artificial intelligence (AI)
applications are also emerging, offering more engaging and personalized therapeutic
environments [3].
Importantly, psycholinguistic methods emphasize the individualization of therapy. Each patient’s
unique cognitive-linguistic profile is assessed through detailed psycholinguistic testing, and
intervention plans are tailored accordingly. This contrasts with more traditional "one-size-fits-
all" approaches and results in higher therapy efficacy rates.
Research consistently supports the effectiveness of psycholinguistic methods for various speech
disorders, including aphasia, dysarthria, apraxia of speech, and developmental language
disorders. Furthermore, psycholinguistic strategies are increasingly integrated into
multidisciplinary rehabilitation frameworks, combining speech-language pathology,
neuropsychology, and cognitive therapy for holistic patient care [4].
СОNСLUSIОN
Psycholinguistic methods offer a comprehensive and scientifically grounded framework for
understanding and correcting speech disorders. By focusing on the cognitive and linguistic
processes underlying speech production and comprehension, these methods address not only the
surface manifestations of speech impairments but also their root causes. Techniques such as
semantic mapping, narrative construction, metalinguistic training, cognitive exercises, and
phonological processing tasks form the backbone of modern psycholinguistic speech therapy.
The future of speech correction lies in further refining these methods, incorporating
technological innovations, and personalizing therapy approaches to match the cognitive profiles
of individual patients. Thus, psycholinguistic strategies are essential for advancing both
theoretical research and practical outcomes in the field of speech-language pathology.
RЕFЕRЕNСЕS
1.
Levelt, W. J. M. Speaking: From Intention to Articulation. – Cambridge (Mass.): MIT
Press, 2019. – 564 p.
2.
Ellis, A. W., Young, A. W. Human Cognitive Neuropsychology. – Hove, UK:
Psychology Press, 2016. – 352 p.
3.
Menn, L., Bernstein Ratner, N. Methods for Studying Language Production. – Mahwah,
NJ: Lawrence Erlbaum Associates, 2010. – 400 p.
4.
Stackhouse, J., Wells, B. Children’s Speech and Literacy Difficulties. – London: Whurr
Publishers, 2017. – 324 p.
