Should I Be Concerned if My Child Can't Say Certain Letters and Words Well?

Articulation is the process of producing sounds, syllables, and words. It’s typical for young children to have trouble saying words correctly as they start to talk. Most children learn to make all speech sounds by the age of four or five. Children who have difficulty pronouncing certain words after age five may have an articulation issue. 

It’s wise to have your child undergo articulation testing when you suspect that your child may be experiencing an articulation disorder. At PediaPlex, our multidisciplinary team provides a range of services to assist children in their development, including articulation testing and speech therapy.

What is an articulation disorder?

Articulation issues arise when a child has trouble making certain sounds, resulting in mispronunciations or word omissions. It’s normal to feel concerned if your child has difficulty pronouncing certain words. 

For example, a child with an articulation issue may have trouble pronouncing words with “r” or “w.” It might make your child's speech difficult to comprehend and have an impact on their socialization and learning.

Children grow at their own pace. Some children begin to walk and talk at a young age. Others need more time. Most children learn skills within a specific age period. A child who takes longer to understand a skill may be having difficulty.

Diagnosing articulation disorders

Consulting with a speech pathologist is the first step if you suspect your child has an articulation impairment. Our speech pathologist can evaluate your child’s capacity to create sounds.

Our team collaborates with you to develop a treatment plan to assist your child in improving their pronunciation. 

Articulation therapy helps to improve pronunciation

Speech therapy can be a very effective treatment to help your child improve their articulation skills. To enhance pronunciation, articulation therapy typically consists of a series of one-on-one sessions with the therapist.

The therapist initially evaluates your child's speech and pinpoints any areas of difficulty. The next step is to devise a therapy plan focused on specific sounds or words causing your child’s issues. 

Articulation therapy entails various activities, including games, worksheets, and exercises.

Our therapist helps your child learn how to pronounce sounds correctly. Therapy may also include reading, writing, and listening activities.

The speech pathologist collaborates with you and your child to develop a home practice plan, providing you with exercises to help your child’s pronunciation of target sounds.

Supporting children with articulation challenges

Articulation therapy is an important component of the treatment of articulation issues. It helps children improve their communication skills and become more easily understood.

Speech therapy can often help youngsters make great strides in a relatively short time. Most children who receive articulation therapy improve their pronunciation significantly.

Articulation difficulties in children can be frustrating for children and parents, but with the right therapy strategy and the help of a speech therapist, your child can improve their speech.

The PediaPlex team is here to support children and their families through developmental milestones. Call the nearest clinic in Southlake, Fort Worth, or Frisco, Texas, and schedule an appointment for articulation testing. Our team is eager to support your child in the best ways possible.