Speech problems in children

There are speech 'milestones' that your child should reach at certain ages for normal speech development.

Meeting these milestones helps to prepare your child to learn more complex skills.

Speech and language skills are vital for your child to:

• talk and communicate
• play with friends
• learn things like reading and writing (literacy)

Early detection and treatment of speech and literacy problems is important.

These broad rules of thumb apply to most children:

Some symptoms of speech problems to look out for in your child include, if they:

• find it hard to understand others
• have a smaller vocabulary than other children the same age
• have tantrums because they are not being understood
• speak very slowly

Additionally, your child may say words differently, such as if they:

• miss or don't say certain sounds like 'kaa' for 'cup' or 'pun' for 'spoon'
• replace sounds like 'thing' instead of 'sing' or 'wabbit' instead of 'rabbit'
• add extra sounds into words like 'be-lack' instead of 'black'
• change or alter sounds using a lisp sound
• change the syllables in words like 'tefon' instead of 'telephone'
• change how a word is pronounced each time like 'sawbi', 'shawbeewee' or 'tawbri' for 'strawberry'

Speech and literacy problems are common in children.

Most children have no reason for their speech disorder. However, in some children, speech troubles can be a sign of:

• developmental delays
• learning disability
• intellectual disability
• cerebral palsy
• hearing loss
• other problems

Some speech disorders happen when a child has a physical problem (like a cleft palate). This makes it hard for the child to make the sounds needed for talking.

Children can develop different speech problems, such as:

• stuttering
• articulation disorder
• phonological disorder

Stuttering

Stuttering is a speech disorder that stops the natural rhythm or flow of speech. It can include:

• breaks in speech
• stretching sounds and words
• repeating sounds, syllables, words or phrases

The cause of stuttering isn't known, but it often starts around 3 or 4 years of age. Stuttering can begin slowly or happen all of a sudden.

About 1 in 100 people stutter, it's very common.

People who stutter can find it hard to communicate. It may make them more anxious about speaking, even if they have just a mild stutter.

Stuttering is unpredictable and may vary in how it sounds and when it happens.

In some children, stuttering can stop by itself. In others it may not. It's not possible to work out who will get better on their own and who will need therapy for stuttering. So, speak to a speech pathologist as soon as you notice a stutter in your child.

Early intervention for stuttering in young children is recommended. Older children can also learn to manage their stuttering. Stuttering can also be successfully controlled in older children.

Articulation disorder

A child with an articulation disorder has trouble making or forming some speech sounds properly.

Making sounds involves the coordination of the:

• lips
• tongue
• teeth
• palate (top of the mouth)
• lungs

A child with an articulation disorder:

• may have trouble forming certain speech sounds — they may lisp, where 's' sounds like 'th'
• may not be able to produce a particular sound — they say 'wabbit' instead of 'rabbit'

Phonological disorder

Phonology is the way sounds are put together to make words.

If your child has a phonological disorder, they:

• can make sounds correctly, but may use them in the wrong place — like saying 'doe' instead of 'go'
• make mistakes with sounds in words —saying 'k' in 'kite' but leaving it out of 'like' to say 'lie'

Phonological disorders are linked to ongoing problems with language and literacy. If your child has a phonological disorder, it's important that they have treatment.

Functional speech sounds disorders

It can be hard to tell the difference between articulation and phonological disorders. Many people now use the broader term "speech sound disorder" to cover both articulation and phonological disorders.

If you have any concerns about your child's speech, speak to your doctor or paediatrician. They will refer your child for an assessment with a speech pathologist.

Speech pathologists are trained to help people who have difficulty communicating.

Your doctor, paediatrician or child health nurse can help you find the most appropriate speech pathologist for your child.

The speech pathologist will work out which treatments and services are right for your child.

You don't need a referral to see a speech pathologist. However, a referral may let you get some Medicare funding (Opens in new tab) to help with the cost of the appointment.

How your child's speech problem is managed will depend on what they are having trouble with. Speech pathologists can help with:

• talking
• understanding others
• reading
• spelling
• using technology to communicate

Your child's speech problems can be managed with regular appointments with a speech pathologist. They may give you speech exercises to do with your child at home.

What can I do to help?

You can help support your child's speech and language development by:

• talking to your child in daily routines — describe what you are doing to build your child's vocabulary
• reading to your child regularly — read different stories and comment on the pictures
• playing with your child — talk about what you are doing and what they are seeing or hearing
• offer your child a choice of 2 or more options — to encourage them to use more words

Speech problems can affect each child differently and can impact their lives as they grow.

Children with speech problems may:

• withdraw themselves from conversations
• be teased or treated differently (Opens in new tab)
• avoid having to speak
• become afraid of speaking

Some adults who stutter don't reach their full potential in education or employment because of how stuttering affects them.

Speech Pathology Australia (Opens in new tab) has produced a Communication Milestones Kit (Opens in new tab). The kit aims to help parents and carers who are concerned about their child's speech, language and communication. You can also call them on 1300 368 835.