Background: Initial Consonant Omission (ICO) is classified as an atypical process. However, its use was observed in typical development (TD) in Finnish and Mandarin. European Portuguese (EP) fricatives, liquids and clusters have been episodically reported as triggering ICO in both typical and atypical language development profiles.

Aims: Our goal is to describe ICO in TD Portuguese children, discussing its (a)typical nature, and to establish a correlation with phonological (im)maturity.

Method: We analyse longitudinal naturalistic data from four TD children (open access data at Phonbank), aged 1;2–3;3. All ICO for liquid singletons (/l,ʎ,ɾ,ʀ/) were considered. The measures used were Percent Singleton Consonants Correct (PSCC) and ICO rates.

Results: ICO is used by our TD children. It emerges word-initially and word-medially. PSCC rates (J=51%; M=62%; R=72%; L=83%) and ICO (J=13%; M=2%; R=6%; L=0,1%) show a negative correlation between phonological maturity and ICO frequency (see J: PSCC=51%; ICO=13% versus L: PSCC: 83%; ICO=0,1%).

Conclusions: ICO occurs in TD Portuguese children, challenging its categorisation as an atypical process. Furthermore, onset deletion is possible in different word positions, not only word-initially. The hypothesis of a negative correlation between phonological maturity and ICO was confirmed.

Implications for children and families: During language development, children may follow the expected trajectory or a deviant one. ICO is used to identify atypical trajectories. Our study suggests that ICO is also employed by TD children. This contributes to a more precise diagnosis, which enhances the clinical practice.

Implications for practitioners: ICO is traditionally used to identify atypical development. Our study suggests otherwise, indicating that ICO is also possible for TD children. Consequently, it should be used with caution by Portuguese practitioners as a marker of atypical development. Our study suggests a reassessment of the atypical nature of OCI, which will enable practitioners to address its impact on diagnosis and intervention.

Key words: phonological processes, typical development, initial consonant deletion, children’s voices, professionals’ voices, communication, community services, health, quantitative methods

This presentation relates to the following United Nations Sustainable Development Goals:

• • SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being
  • SDG 4: Quality Education
  • SDG 11: Sustainable Cities
  • SDG 17: Partnerships to Achieve the Goals