Does My Child Have a Speech Problem? How Do I Know?
If you are a parent or a teacher, you well understand that speech and language development is a complex process! So, what do you look for in the developmental stages to know if your child is on the right track?
First, it is important to know that there are several categories of language and speech that may be of concern. According to International Children’s Education (iCHED), delays may occur in one or more of the following areas:
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Language |
Fluency |
Articulation |
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- Language acquisition: how we put words together, learning what combination of words work the best for communication. |
- Rhythm of speech: starting, pausing, stopping and then continuing the speech process. - Most children go through periods of fluency and dysfluency between the ages of three to six, which are a normal part of language development. Stuttering is a fluency disorder and may begin during this stage of development. |
- Sound/pronunciation: the learning of sounds made with the lips, teeth and tongue. For example, children must learn how to correctly pronounce the R-sound to say “rabbit” instead of “wabbit.” |
A speech-language pathologist can help with remediation to address and correct difficulties in any of the above areas. As a compliment or an alternative, Speech Buddies are articulation tools which will help treat articulation problems while working with a speech therapist or with your child at home.
So, you ask, what are the milestones and how do I know if my child needs help? Most children develop standard speech by the age of five or six, but some may still struggle with the more difficult sounds (L, R, S, TH and other blends) at seven and eight years of age. As children learn to talk, they self correct. They constantly receive new speech information and make adjustments. However, if you child seems frustrated, is difficult to understand or if her speech is the object of teasing, it is time to get help!
The National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders lists the following speech/articulation milestones for children:
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2 to 3 years old: |
3 to 4 years old: |
4 to 5 years old: |
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Uses K, G, F, T, D and N sounds; the child speaks in a way that is understood by family members and friends. |
Speaks easily without having to repeat syllables or words. |
Says most sounds correctly except for a few, such as (L, S, R, V, Z, CH, SH and TH).
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For more information about childhood developmental stages for speech and language, visit the article from ASHA (American Speech-Language-Hearing Association) “How Does Your Child Hear and Talk?”
By: V. White, M.A., Early Childhood Education
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