Which term describes using incorrect sounds in place of correct ones?

The term that describes using incorrect sounds in place of correct ones is substitutions. In the context of speech and language, substitutions occur when a child replaces a target sound with another sound that may not be appropriate for the word being spoken. For instance, a child might say "wabbit" instead of "rabbit," demonstrating a substitution of sounds.

Understanding substitutions is essential for educators and speech-language pathologists when assessing and addressing speech disorders in students. In contrast, omissions refer to the absence of certain sounds in words, distortions involve imprecise production of a sound that does not fully resemble the target sound, and fluency disorders pertain to interruptions in the flow of speech, such as stuttering. These definitions highlight the specific nature of substitutions as distinct from other types of speech issues.