Which of the following best describes a child who makes sounds correctly but uses them incorrectly?

The description of a child who makes sounds correctly but uses them incorrectly aligns with a phonological disorder. In phonological disorders, a child demonstrates an understanding of how sounds function within their language but fails to apply those sounds appropriately in the context of their speech. For instance, the child might articulate individual sounds accurately in isolation but may not use those sounds correctly within words or in connected speech.

Phonological disorders often involve patterns of sound errors that affect a child's ability to organize sounds systematically in words, leading to difficulties in communicating effectively. This differentiates it from other types of disorders, such as articulation issues, where the primary difficulty lies in the production or accuracy of speech sounds rather than their use in language.

Understanding this distinction is crucial for effective assessment and intervention strategies, as both phonological and articulation disorders require different approaches to treatment. Meanwhile, a language disorder encompasses a broader scope, affecting not just sound production but also the child's ability to understand and use language structure, vocabulary, and overall communication skills.