Articulation Disorders

Articulation disorder is a speech difficulty where a child has trouble producing specific sounds correctly. This can make their speech unclear or difficult to understand. For example, a child may substitute one sound for another (“wabbit” instead of “rabbit”), omit sounds altogether, or distort sounds in a way that makes them unclear. While many young children go through normal stages of speech development, persistent errors beyond the expected age range may indicate an articulation disorder that requires professional support.

Articulation disorders differ from other speech and language disorders in important ways. Unlike a language disorder, which affects how a child understands or uses words and sentences, an articulation disorder is specifically about the physical production of sounds. It is also different from a phonological disorder, which involves patterns of sound errors affecting groups of sounds. Articulation therapy focuses on teaching a child how to move their lips, tongue, and jaw correctly to make individual sounds more accurately, leading to clearer, more intelligible speech.

Early treatment is critical because unclear speech can affect many aspects of a child’s development. Without support, children may become frustrated when they are not understood, avoid speaking in class or social situations, or fall behind academically due to communication barriers. Over time, these difficulties can impact confidence and social relationships. Starting therapy early helps children correct sound errors before they become ingrained habits, making progress faster and more effective.

Speech-language pathologists use structured, evidence-based strategies to help children practice and master correct sound production. Therapy is tailored to each child’s age and needs, and parents receive guidance on how to reinforce progress at home. With early intervention, children not only improve their speech clarity but also gain the confidence to communicate more effectively in all areas of life.