Final Consonant Deletion

Have you heard of final consonant deletion (FCD)? FCD is a phonological process, or common error pattern in young children. For example, a young child might say, “ca’” instead of, “cat.” This phonological process should be eliminated by age 3. However, it’s important to note that Spanish does not contain many final consonants, and FCD is often misdiagnosed in bilingual children. If you’re a caregiver with questions about your child’s speech sound development, reach out to a speech therapist for an evaluation.

Readers: Has your child experienced FCD?

About the Author: Melissa Goff, M.S, CCC-SLP, is the owner of Sunflower Speech & Myo Therapy, PLLC, in Charlotte, NC.