Understanding Common Pediatric Speech Disorders

Every child develops at their own pace, but some speech or language difficulties can signal the need for professional support. Early recognition and treatment are key in helping children build strong communication skills.

Here are some of the most common speech disorders in children, and how speech therapy can help.

Articulation Disorders

Articulation disorders occur when a child has difficulty producing certain speech sounds correctly. For example, saying “wabbit” instead of “rabbit.”

Signs may include:

• Substituting sounds

• Omitting sounds

• Distorting sounds

Treatment:Speech-language pathologists use modeling, repetition, and fun activities to help children learn how to form and produce sounds clearly.

Expressive Language Delay

Children with expressive language delay may struggle to use words, phrases, or sentences to express themselves — even if they understand what others are saying.

Signs may include:

• Limited vocabulary

• Short, incomplete sentences

• Trouble naming objects or forming questions

Treatment:Therapy focuses on building vocabulary, sentence structure, and giving children confidence to express their thoughts.

Other Common Disorders

• Stuttering: Interruptions in speech flow (repeating sounds or words)

• Apraxia of Speech: Difficulty planning and coordinating speech movements

• Voice Disorders: Abnormal pitch, volume, or voice quality

Each child’s needs are different, so therapy is always personalized.