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Speech Sound Delays and Disorders
Speech Sound Delays and Disorders
Children with Speech Sound Disorders have difficulties correctly producing sounds for speech. Generally, Speech Sound Disorders fall into two main categories:
Movement-based disorders (children have difficulty making accurate movements for producing speech sounds), and
Rule-based disorders (children have difficulty learning the rules for correctly using sounds in speech).
A child may have one or both of these disorders.
Speech errors may be:
appropriate for a child’s age (no need for speech therapy),
delayed (errors that are typical for younger children, but not for your child's age), or
disordered (errors that are not typical at any age).
MacLeod, S. & Baker, E. (2017) & Csercsics, A. & Cunningham, BJ. Speech Sound Disorders.
Click here for a chart showing the ages when English sounds typically develop in children.
Click here for Home Practice resources
When we see a child, we listen to the way they are speaking,
watch how they are forming speech sounds, and
identify patterns in their speech sound learning and use.
Movement-based delays and disorders
Movement-based delays and disorders
Children with an articulation disorder may say a different sound, leave out a sound, distort a sound, or add in sounds, making it difficult for others to understand their speech.
A child with a motor speech disorder often moves their jaw, lips, or tongue too much, too little, or in a way that gets in the way of clear speech (e.g., sliding the jaw side to side, rounding the lips too much or not enough).
Sometimes this is called childhood apraxia of speech (CAS). Click here for a more information on Childhood Apraxia of Speech (from apraxia-kids.org).
Rule-based delays and disorders
Rule-based delays and disorders
Children with phonological disorders may be able to say speech sounds correctly on their own, but make certain types of errors when saying words.
We notice patterns in the errors a child makes and help them say words correctly. One way we do this is by showing them that if we change one sound or syllable, the meaning can change (e.g., "sail" vs. "tail,").
Click here for more information on types of rule-based errors that we often see (aka. phonological processes).
MacLeod, S. & Baker, E. (2017) Children’s speech: An evidence-based approach to assessment and intervention (pp. 37-59). Boston, MA: Pearson.
Csercsics, A. & Cunningham, BJ. Speech Sound Disorders, [Handout]. University of Western Ontario
Video Resources: We all learn in different ways!
It is often helpful to hear and see new information, in order for it to make sense.
Articulation in Speech (video) Mistakes happen! Learn how, where and when articulation errors happen. you'll also learn what to do if you hear an articulation error.
Phonological Processes In Speech (video) Mistakes happen! Learn why phonological processes happen and when to be concerned. You'll also learn what to do if you hear this type of error.
How Sounds Are Made (video) Learn how our bodies make sounds and how sounds can be described based on how they are made.
Understanding Speech Errors (video) Learn what errors are expected based on your child's age and how you can work with your SLP to choose goals.
Understanding Motor Speech (video) Learn about what motor speech is and why difficulties happen. you will also learn what you can to do help.
These Speech Learning Videos were developed by the Speech Team at ErinoakKids Centre for Treatment and Development to support families throughout their speech journey. KidsInclusive is linking these videos with permission from ErinoakKids.
A child with a speech sound delay or disorder may show signs of any one or a combination of these.
Your Speech-Language Pathologist can provide more individualized support.
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