A speech sound disorder means difficulty with or a delay in speech development. There are different types of speech sound disorders, so you may hear any of the following: speech disorder, articulation disorder, speech delay, phonological disorder, childhood apraxia of speech, or speech impairment. These do not all mean the same thing, but they are all referring to a speech sound disorder.
Speech sound disorders are very common and, in most cases, there is no known cause — it is highly unlikely that anything you, your child, or another family member did (or didn’t do) contributed to your child’s speech sound development. Speech sound disorders are not due to your busy work schedule, your child being lazy, your parenting style, or their sibling who has a habit of speaking for them. Most babies and toddlers (about 90%) have an innate ability to start talking and producing speech sounds without any help. For the remaining 10%, explicit instruction using evidence-based techniques from a speech-language pathologist can help your child meet their communication milestones.
Signs Your Child May Need Help
Every child develops at their own pace, but there are general guidelines for when certain speech skills are expected. You may want to consult a speech-language pathologist if:
- Others have difficulty understanding your child
- Your child is frustrated when trying to communicate
- Your child is not babbling by 12 months
- Your child is not using any words by 18 months
- Your child’s speech is significantly harder to understand than peers of the same age
Speech Intelligibility Milestones
Speech intelligibility refers to how well a listener can understand what a child is saying. As children grow, their speech becomes clearer and more understandable. The table below shows general milestones for how understandable a child’s speech should be at different ages.
| Age | Understood by Family | Understood by Others |
|---|---|---|
| 18 months | ~25% | Very little |
| 2 years | ~50–75% | ~50% |
| 3 years | ~75–100% | ~75% |
| 4 years | ~100% | ~90–100% |
When to See an SLP
If you have any concerns about your child’s speech development, it is always a good idea to seek a professional opinion. Early identification and intervention can make a significant difference in your child’s progress. A speech-language pathologist can evaluate your child’s speech, determine whether their development is on track, and recommend a plan of action if needed.
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