麻豆果冻传媒

Speech Sound Disorders in Children

What are speech sound disorders in children?

It鈥檚 normal for young children learning language skills to have some trouble saying words the right way. That鈥檚 part of the learning process. Their speech skills develop over time. They master certain sounds and words at each age. By age 8, most children have learned how to master all word sounds.

But some children have speech sound disorders. This means they have trouble saying certain sounds and words past the expected age. This can make it hard to understand what a child is trying to say.  

Speech sound problems include articulation disorder and phonological process disorder.

  • Articulation disorder is a problem with making certain sounds, such as 鈥渟h.鈥

  • Phonological process disorder is a pattern of sound mistakes. This includes not pronouncing certain letters.

What causes speech sound disorders in a child?

Often, a speech sound disorder has no known cause. But some speech sound errors may be caused by:

  • Injury to the brain

  • Thinking or development disability

  • Problems with hearing or hearing loss, such as past ear infections

  • Physical problems that affect speech, such cleft palate or cleft lip

  • Disorders affecting the nerves involved in speech

Which children are at risk for speech sound disorders?

The cause often is not known, but children at risk for a speech sound disorder include those with:

  • Developmental disorders such as autism

  • Genetic disorders such as Down syndrome

  • Hearing loss

  • Nervous system disorders such as cerebral palsy

  • Illnesses such as frequent ear infections

  • Physical problems such as a cleft lip or palate

  • Too much thumb-sucking or pacifier use

  • Low education level of the parent

  • Lack of support for learning in the home

What are the symptoms of speech sound disorders in a child?

Your child鈥檚 symptoms depend on what type of speech sound disorder your child has. He or she may have trouble forming some word sounds correctly past a certain age. This is called articulation disorder. Your child may drop, add, distort, or swap word sounds. Keep in mind that some sound changes may be part of an accent. They are not speech errors. Signs of this problem can include:

  • Leaving off sounds from words (example: saying 鈥渃oo鈥 instead of 鈥渟chool鈥)

  • Adding sounds to words (example: saying 鈥減uhlay鈥 instead of 鈥減lay鈥)

  • Distorting sounds in words (example: saying 鈥渢hith鈥 instead of 鈥渢his鈥)

  • Swapping sounds in words (example: saying 鈥渨adio鈥 instead of 鈥渞adio鈥)

If your child often makes certain word speech mistakes, he or she may have phonological process disorder. The mistakes may be common in young children learning speech skills. But when they last past a certain age, it may be a disorder. Signs of this problem are:

  • Saying only 1 syllable in a word (example: 鈥渂ay鈥 instead of 鈥渂aby鈥)

  • Simplifying a word by repeating 2 syllables (example: 鈥渂aba鈥 instead of 鈥渂ottle鈥)

  • Leaving out a consonant sound (example: 鈥渁t鈥 or 鈥渂a鈥 instead of 鈥渂at鈥)

  • Changing certain consonant sounds (example: 鈥渢at鈥 instead of 鈥渃at鈥)

How are speech sound disorders diagnosed in a child?

First, your child鈥檚 healthcare provider will check his or her hearing. This is to make sure that your child isn鈥檛 simply hearing words and sounds incorrectly.

If your child鈥檚 healthcare provider rules out hearing loss, you may want to talk with a speech-language pathologist. This is a speech expert who evaluates and treats children who are having problems with speech-language and communication.                       

By watching and listening to your child speak, a speech-language pathologist can determine whether your child has a speech sound disorder. The pathologist will evaluate your child鈥檚 speech and language skills. He or she will keep in mind accents and dialect. He or she can also find out if a physical problem in the mouth is affecting your child鈥檚 ability to speak. Finding the problem and getting help early are important to treat speech sound disorders.

How are speech sound disorders treated in a child?

The speech-language pathologist can put together a therapy plan to help your child with his or her disorder. These healthcare providers work with children to help them:

  • Notice and fix sounds that they are making wrong

  • Learn how to correctly form their problem sound

  • Practice saying certain words and making certain sounds

The pathologist can also give you activities and strategies to help your child practice at home. If your child has a physical problem in the mouth, the pathologist can refer your child to an ear, nose, throat healthcare provider or orthodontist if needed.

Spotting a speech sound disorder early can help your child overcome any speech problems. He or she can learn how to speak well and comfortably.

How can I help my child live with a speech sound disorder?

You can do things to take care of your child with a speech sound disorder:

  • Keep all appointments with your child鈥檚 healthcare provider.

  • Talk with your healthcare provider about other providers who will be involved in your child鈥檚 care. Your child may get care from a team that may include experts such as speech-language pathologists and counselors. Your child鈥檚 care team will depend on your child鈥檚 needs and the severity of the speech sound disorder.

  • Tell others of your child鈥檚 disorder. Work with your child鈥檚 healthcare provider and schools to develop a treatment plan.

  • Reach out for support from local community services. Being in touch with other parents who have a child with a speech sound disorder may be helpful.

When should I call my child鈥檚 healthcare provider?

Call your child鈥檚 healthcare provider if your child has:

  • Symptoms that don鈥檛 get better, or get worse

  • New symptoms

Key points about speech sound disorders in children

  • A speech sound disorder means a child has trouble saying certain sounds and words past the expected age.

  • A child with an articulation disorder has problems making certain sounds the right way.

  • A child with phonological process disorder regularly makes certain word speech mistakes.

  • The cause of this problem is often unknown.

  • A speech-language pathologist can help diagnose and treat a speech sound disorder.

Next steps

Tips to help you get the most from a visit to your child鈥檚 healthcare provider:

  • Know the reason for the visit and what you want to happen.

  • Before your visit, write down questions you want answered.

  • At the visit, write down the name of a new diagnosis, and any new medicines, treatments, or tests. Also write down any new instructions your provider gives you for your child.

  • Know why a new medicine or treatment is prescribed and how it will help your child. Also know what the side effects are.

  • Ask if your child鈥檚 condition can be treated in other ways.

  • Know why a test or procedure is recommended and what the results could mean.

  • Know what to expect if your child does not take the medicine or have the test or procedure.

  • If your child has a follow-up appointment, write down the date, time, and purpose for that visit.

  • Know how you can contact your child鈥檚 provider after office hours. This is important if your child becomes ill and you have questions or need advice.