Speech sound difficulties in children
If your child is hard to understand, or drops or swaps sounds well past the age most children have them, a speech pathologist can help. Speech sound difficulties are one of the most common reasons families seek support.
What it is
Speech sound difficulties cover articulation (forming individual sounds) and phonology (the patterns of sounds in words). Some patterns are a normal part of development at certain ages, so the question is usually whether a child is on track for their age and how much it affects being understood.
How speech pathology helps
A speech pathologist assesses which sounds and patterns are affecting your child, then works on them through play-based practice, modelling, and activities you continue at home. Progress is reviewed over time, and the home practice between sessions does a lot of the work.
Signs families notice
Some signs families notice:
- Speech that is hard for unfamiliar people to understand for the child's age
- Leaving sounds off the start or end of words
- Swapping one sound for another, for example saying tat for cat
- Frustration when not understood
- Family history of speech or language difficulties
NDIS and funding
If your child has an NDIS plan with therapy funding, speech pathology for speech sound difficulties is generally claimable under Capacity Building, Improved Daily Living, where it relates to their goals. Medicare and private health may also help for shorter-term support.
Common questions
When should I worry about my child's speech sounds?
A useful rule of thumb is that most of a child's speech should be understandable to unfamiliar people by around age four. If you are unsure, an assessment can tell you whether your child is on track for their age.
Will my child grow out of it?
Some patterns resolve on their own, and others benefit from support. An assessment helps tell the difference, and early help is reasonable rather than waiting and hoping.
If you have concerns about how your child is understood, an initial assessment is a good first step. You can search your suburb on Waitless to find local clinics and enquire for free.
Search your suburb to see local clinics, their Google ratings, and when each listing was last checked. Free for families.
Browse by suburb →Related topics and questions
This page is general information, not clinical advice, and every child is different. For advice about your child, speak with a GP or a speech pathologist.