When your child is diagnosed with an articulation disorder, it’s natural to have questions about whether this is a developmental phase that your child will grow out of. As a parent, you want the best for your child, and providing support through any developmental challenges is often a top priority.
PediaPlex provides dedicated, strong, compassionate, research-backed support to children with developmental differences. Our multidisciplinary team offers a range of therapies, including speech therapy. Testing is the best first step in the therapeutic journey for children struggling with articulation. PediaPlex provides articulation testing to identify your child’s needs.
Hearing your child mispronounce sounds or struggle to form words clearly can be concerning. Articulation disorders are relatively common in children, but determining whether a child will outgrow the issue often depends on the underlying cause and the support they receive.
At PediaPlex, we work with families daily to help children overcome developmental challenges, including speech and articulation disorders. Articulation disorders are speech challenges with various causes that result in children finding it challenging to produce specific sounds.
When children with articulation disorders speak, they may omit sounds, or their speech may sound distorted, making speech hard to understand. For instance, a child might say “wabbit” instead of “rabbit” or leave out sounds altogether, such as “ba” instead of “ball.”
Articulation disorders are distinct from phonological disorders, which involve patterns of sound errors and differ from developmental speech delays that resolve over time.
Some articulation challenges are considered developmentally appropriate for young children. For example, it’s common for toddlers to replace “r” with “w” or struggle with consonant blends like “sp” or “tr.” These errors often resolve naturally as a child develops motor skills and linguistic abilities.
However, errors that persist beyond certain developmental milestones may signal an articulation disorder that requires intervention. It’s wise to seek supportive therapy early on. Research confirms that early speech therapy can significantly improve outcomes for children struggling with articulation.
Parents should watch for these signs that their child may need professional support:
If your child struggles with these issues and their speech doesn’t improve over time, it’s best to seek articulation testing to pinpoint the problem.
When speech difficulties persist, they can affect more than just verbal communication. Articulation disorders can impact social interactions, self-esteem, and even academic performance as children face challenges in reading and spelling.
Early intervention, such as speech therapy, can help address these issues before they create barriers that impact your child’s growth and quality of life.
At PediaPlex, our speech therapists use evidence-based techniques to target articulation challenges in a supportive and fun environment. Therapy focuses on teaching correct sound pronunciation, practicing in meaningful contexts, and building confidence in communication.
PediaPlex offers comprehensive evaluations to determine the root of your child’s speech challenges. Our collaborative approach means we consider all aspects of your child’s development, including motor skills, sensory processing, and behavior, ensuring a tailored plan for their unique needs.
If your child struggles with articulation, waiting to see if they grow out of it might delay the help they need. With the correct support, children can overcome articulation disorders. Contact our office today to schedule a consultation and take the first step toward helping your child find their voice.
