Collab Topic - Speech Therapy | Pinnacle Blooms Network

Children may say some sounds the wrong way as they learn to talk. They learn some sounds earlier, like p, m, or w. Other sounds take longer to learn, like z, v, or th. Most children can say almost all speech sounds correctly by 4 years old. A child who does not say sounds by the expected ages may have a speech sound disorder. You may hear the terms "articulation disorder" and "phonological disorder" to describe speech sound disorders like this.

How Does Your Child Hear and Talk?
Your Child's Communication Development: Kindergarten Through Fifth Grade
Adults can also have speech sound disorders. Some adults have problems that started when they were children. Others may have speech problems after a stroke or traumatic brain injury. To learn more about adult speech disorders after a stroke or traumatic brain injury, see apraxia of speech in adults and dysarthria.

It is normal for young children to say the wrong sounds sometimes. For example, your child may make a "w" sound for an "r" and say "wabbit" for "rabbit." They may leave sounds out of words, such as "nana" for "banana." This is okay when they are young. It may be a problem if they keep making these mistakes as they get older.

The chart below shows the ages when most English-speaking children develop sounds. Children learning more than one language may develop some sounds earlier or later.

By 3 months Makes cooing sounds
By 5 months Laughs and makes playful sounds
By 6 months Makes speech-like babbling sounds like puh, ba, mi, da
By 1 year Babbles longer strings of sounds like mimi, upup, bababa
By 3 years
Says m, n, h, w, p, b, t, d, k, g, and f in words

Familiar people understand the child's speech
By 4 years
Says y and v in words

May still make mistakes on the s, sh, ch, j, ng, th, z, l, and r sounds

Most people understand the child’s speech

Causes of Speech Sound Disorders
Many children learn to say speech sounds over time, but some do not. You may not know why your child has problems speaking.

Adults can also have speech sound disorders. Some adults have problems that started when they were children. Others may develop speech problems after a stroke or traumatic brain injury, or other trauma. To learn more about adult speech disorders, see apraxia of speech in adults, dysarthria, laryngeal cancer, and oral cancer.
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