PSYCHOLINGUISTIC METHODS FOR CORRECTING SPEECH DISORDERS

Аннотация

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 ofspeech disorders. Kеywоrds:Psycholinguistics, speech correction, speech disorders, cognitiveprocesses, language therapy, communication rehabilitation, speech therapy methods. INTRОDUСTIОN Speech disorders represent a complex phenomenon where multiplecognitive, 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, discusstheir theoreticalunderpinnings, and highlight their application in therapeuticpractices. MАTЕRIАLSАND 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 cognitiveandlinguisticdeficits. 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 theirability toretrieve and produce relevant lexical items in speech [1]. RЕSULTSАNDDISСUSSIОN 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, andpragmatic skills. https://ijmri.de/index.php/jmsi volume 4,issue3,2025 778 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 theirown 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 tosupport 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 theaccurate 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 rea