If your child is difficult to understand or often mispronounces words, it can be frustrating for both of you. Clear, confident speech develops over time, and some children benefit from extra support to get there.

What are speech sound disorders?

Speech sound disorders occur when a child has difficulty producing sounds correctly. This may include articulation errors (individual sounds) or phonological patterns (sound patterns), which can make speech difficult to understand.

By around age 4, most children are understood by others outside the family.
If your child’s speech is still unclear, speech therapy can help.

Signs your child may need speech therapy

• Replacing one sound with another (“tat” for “cat”)

• Leaving out sounds (“poon” for “spoon”)

• Simplifying words or sound patterns (“gog” for “dog”)

• Speech that sounds unclear or “mumbled”

• Frustration when others don’t understand them

What speech therapy looks like

• Play-based, engaging sessions

• Teaching correct tongue, lip, and jaw placement

• Practicing sounds from simple → more complex

• Repetition through fun, motivating activities

• Building confidence and clearer everyday communication

When to reach out

• Not using words by 18–24 months

• Not combining words by age 2

• You feel concerned about their communication

👉 Early support can make a big difference.

Serving families in Portland, Oregon

Speech therapy services for children in Portland and surrounding areas.