Understanding Speech Delays & Speech Sound Disorders in Children: What Parents Should Know

Speech and language are essential tools for connection, learning, and expressing needs. While every child develops differently, some children may show signs of a speech delay or speech disorder that fall outside the expected milestones. Recognising these signs early can make a big difference in getting the right support and helping your child communicate with confidence.

Reading a picture book together

What is a Speech Delay? 

Speech delay occurs when a child develops speech skills more slowly than their peers, despite having otherwise typical language development. For example, the child may understand what others are saying but rely on gestures instead of spoken words to communicate.

What is a Speech Sound Disorder? 

In contrast, speech sound disorders occur when a child has difficulty producing certain sounds correctly at the expected age. This may be due to challenges with hearing the sounds, coordinating the mouth muscles to say them, or understanding how sounds fit together in words. These difficulties typically go beyond normal developmental delays and do not resolve on their own. Children with speech sound disorders are often harder to understand, and their speech may continue to sound different from their peers as they get older.

Conditions of Speech Sound Disorders 

Several conditions can impact speech development, including:

1. Articulation Disorder - Involves difficulty physically producing specific speech sounds- For example, a child with an articulation disorder might substitute one sound for another (like saying “wabbit” for “rabbit”), leave out sounds (saying “ca” instead of “cat”), or distort sounds (such as a lisp on the “s” sound).

   
   

2. Phonological Disorder - Occurs when a child can physically say the sounds but has trouble using them correctly in speech- For example, they might use the same sound for several different ones (saying “tat” for “cat” and “tar” for “car”), or consistently leave sounds off the ends of words (like saying “cu” for “cup”).

   
   

3. Childhood Apraxia of Speech (CAS) - Affects how the brain coordinates the muscles needed to produce speech- Children with apraxia know what they want to say, but they have trouble coordinating their mouth to move in the correct way to say it. This can result in inconsistent errors and a lot of frustration for the child.

   
   

4. Orofacial Anomalies - These are structural differences in the mouth or face that can affect how speech sounds are produced and how they resonate, making clear speech more difficult.  - For example, cleft lip and/ or palate.

   
   

5. Hearing Loss - Children who have any type of hearing loss or frequent ear infections may not be able to hear the full range of speech sounds in their language. This can impact overall speech development.

   
   

6. Neurological Conditions - Children with neurological conditions may experience weakness in the muscles used for speech and/or difficulties with how the brain processes language. These challenges can affect both how clearly they speak and how well they understand or use language. - Examples include children with cerebral palsy, genetic syndromes, or traumatic brain injuries.

   
   

Recognising the Signs of Speech Delay 

Parents and caregivers are often the first to notice when something does not seem quite right with a child’s speech.

Child playing with toy figures

Some common signs include: 

• Speech that is unclear or difficult for others to understand after age 3

• Difficulty pronouncing certain sounds, for instance, saying “wabbit” instead of “rabbit” beyond age 4 

• Replacing or omitting sounds in words e.g., saying “top” instead of “stop”

• Using fewer words than peers or relying mostly on gestures to communicate

• Struggling to coordinate the mouth and tongue movements needed to form words

  
  

While some speech errors are developmentally appropriate at certain ages, it is important to monitor whether your child is progressing over time or remaining stuck at a certain level.

Find out more about speech milestones here.

When to Seek Professional Help 

If you’re concerned about your child’s speech development, it is always a good idea to consult with a professional. A licensed speech-language therapist can conduct a thorough assessment to determine if your child has a delay or disorder, and what type of support is needed. Therapy may focus on teaching specific sounds, improving speech clarity, or building the motor planning skills necessary for fluent speech.

Early intervention is key. The earlier a child receives help, the better their chances of overcoming difficulties and developing effective communication skills that support success in school and life.

At Speech Alliance, we recognise the significance of effective communication, and we pride ourselves on our personalised approach. As a small, mobile practice, we prioritise building strong partnerships with our clients, their caregivers, and their teachers. We believe that communication is most effective when we work closely together to support your child's unique needs in familiar environments, whether at home or in school.

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