What Is Articulation in Speech?

Articulation refers to how we produce speech sounds using the tongue, lips, teeth, and jaw. It’s a key part of speaking clearly and being understood by others. When your child says sounds like “s,” “r,” or “th,” they rely on precise mouth movements to pronounce them correctly.

Think “Speech Sounds” – articulation is all about how your child forms sounds when talking.

What Is an Articulation Disorder?

A child with an articulation disorder has ongoing trouble saying certain sounds the right way. These sound errors can make their speech difficult to understand—especially to people who don’t know them well.

Common Signs of Articulation Difficulties

🔁 Substituting sounds: Saying “wabbit” instead of “rabbit”

❌ Omitting sounds: Saying “nana” instead of “banana”

🔄 Distorting sounds: Producing sounds that don’t quite sound right

😞 Frustration when misunderstood: Getting upset when others can’t understand them

How Speech Therapy Can Help:

Speech therapy teaches children how to move their mouth properly to produce sounds more clearly and accurately. With support, kids can:

- Speak more understandably

- Gain confidence in conversations

- Improve communication skills at home, school, and with friends

THINK SPEECH SOUNDS!

Clear articulation boosts confidence and helps your child express themselves with ease.

What Is a Phonological Disorder?

As young children learn to talk, they often simplify speech by using phonological processes—patterns of sound changes that make words easier to say. For example, a toddler might say “tat” instead of “cat” or “nana” instead of “banana.” This is a normal part of early speech development.

However, when these patterns continue past the expected age or if a child uses unusual sound patterns, it may be a sign of a phonological disorder.

Think “Patterns” – phonological disorders are about repeated sound error patterns, not just occasional mistakes.


Signs of a Phonological Disorder in Children

Children with phonological disorders often:

🚫 Omit sounds or syllables in words (e.g., “pane” instead of “plane”)

🔄 Substitute easier sounds for harder ones (e.g., “tat” for “cat”)

🔁 Use the same incorrect sound across different words (e.g., saying “tup” for “cup,” “tandy” for “candy”)

These speech patterns may seem consistent but don’t follow typical speech development. They can make it difficult for others—especially unfamiliar listeners—to understand your child.


What Causes Phonological Disorders?

Phonological disorders happen when a child creates their own internal “rules” for producing sounds. These non-standard patterns affect how words are formed and can lead to unclear speech.

While it’s common for toddlers to simplify words, most phonological processes fade as children grow. If sound patterns continue past age 3–4, or if they’re atypical at any age, it may be time to consult a speech-language pathologist.

How Speech Therapy Helps

With early speech therapy, children can:

- Learn typical sound patterns

- Improve speech clarity

- Feel more confident when communicating with others

Therapists use fun, engaging techniques to help children break old patterns and form new, correct speech habits.

THINK PATTERNS!

Phonological disorders involve consistent speech sound errors that follow incorrect rules. With the right support, children can develop clear and confident speech.

Does Your Child Struggle to Be Understood?

If your child is often hard to understand or frequently replaces speech sounds—like saying “wabbit” instead of “rabbit” or “pane” instead of “plane”—they may benefit from speech therapy for articulation or phonological disorders.

These targeted therapies help children:

✅ Say individual sounds more clearly (articulation skills)

✅ Use correct sound patterns for their age (phonological skills)

Improving your child’s speech clarity not only helps others understand them more easily, but it also:

- Reduces communication-related frustration

- Boosts their confidence in everyday conversations

- Supports stronger connections at home, school, and with peers

Why Early Speech Therapy Matters

Early intervention can make a big difference. The sooner a child receives support, the faster they can learn to communicate clearly and confidently. With the right help, your child can thrive in communication, learning, and social settings.

Clear speech builds connection, confidence, and success.