ABSTRACT
The terms normal and defective speech are used to mean respectively “speech correct as to articulation and grammatical structure” and “speech deviating from this standard” – in both cases in comparison with the normal speech of normal people. Speech has to be learnt in every lesson and daily activity, including the lessons in music, dancing and acting. The social aspect of speech is especially important for these children since they have such a limited contact with the world that they cannot comprehend well, have few means of occupying leisure and will in later life be in the care of strangers. Teachers and social workers are consulted in order to decide whether the deviations from normal speech are in keeping with the child’s intellectual and emotional capacity or whether treatment is advisable. The speech problems of the mentally deficient child, though varied in nature, have as a basis difficulty in using vocal sound for communication.
