Speech Sound Delay & Disorder

As a parent, it can be concerning if your child has difficulty pronouncing words clearly or making speech sounds correctly.

Speech sound disorders are common and can impact a child's ability to communicate effectively.

What is Speech Sound Disorder?

A speech sound disorder occurs when a child has difficulty pronouncing words correctly.

This may include problems with making sounds, leaving out or substituting sounds, or distorting words. These difficulties can make it harder for others to understand what the child is saying.

Some Signs of Speech Sound Disorder include:

Unclear Speech

People, even close family members, have trouble understanding your child.

Sound Substitutions

Your child might say "wabbit" instead of "rabbit" or "thun" instead of "sun."

Omissions of Sounds

Your child might leave out sounds in words, like saying "ca" for "cat."

Distorted Sounds

Sounds might sound odd, like a “slushy” or “whistling” sound.

Speech Sound Intelligibility Milestones

Children’s ability to speak clearly improves as they grow. Here’s a general idea of what to expect:

By Age 2:

Intelligibility: Child is understood 25-50% of the time, mostly by family.
Speech: Sound errors are common (e.g., “wabbit” for “rabbit”).

By Age 3:

Intelligibility: Understood 50-75% of the time, even by strangers.
Speech: Basic sounds are clearer, but some errors may remain.

By Age 4:

Intelligibility: Understood 75-90% of the time.
Speech: Most speech is clear, but some sounds (like "r" or "s") may still be tricky.

By Age 5:

Intelligibility: Understood 90-100% of the time.
Speech: Most sounds are correct, with only a few minor errors.

By Age 6:

Intelligibility: Fully understandable by everyone.
Speech: All sounds should be clear, with only rare errors.

Note: Every child is different.

If your child has trouble being understood compared to others their age, a speech therapist can help. Early support can make a big difference!

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