What Are Articulation and Sound System Disorders?
Articulation and sound system disorders occur when a child has difficulty producing speech sounds correctly or using the correct patterns to form words. These disorders can affect how clearly others understand your child and may impact their confidence, learning and social interaction.
These challenges are common in early childhood but may require support if they persist beyond typical developmental milestones.
Types of Difficulties We See
- Articulation Disorders – When a child has trouble physically producing specific speech sounds (e.g., saying “wabbit” instead of “rabbit”).
- Phonological (Sound System) Disorders – When a child uses patterns of errors that affect whole groups of sounds (e.g., saying “tat” for “cat” or “gog” for “dog”).
What’s Typical? Understanding Sound Development
Children develop speech sounds gradually. Here are some general milestones for sound development:
| By Age | Most Children Can Say |
| 2–3 years | p, b, m, h, n, w |
| 3–4 years | t, d, k, g, f, y |
| 4–5 years | l, v, s, z, sh, ch |
| 5–6 years | r, th (as in “this” and “thumb”), blends (like “sp” or “tr”) |
Note: Every child develops at their own pace, but persistent difficulty beyond these ages may need evaluation.
Examples of Speech Sound Concerns
- Saying “pane” instead of “plane” (blends omitted)
- Substituting sounds: “tat” for “cat,” “doe” for “go”
- Dropping end sounds: “ca” for “cat”
- Unusual sound patterns not typical for the child’s age
- Speech that is difficult for family or teachers to understand
When Should Parents Be Concerned?
Consider reaching out to the Center for Hearing and Speech if:
- Your child is hard to understand by age 3—even by close family
- Sound errors continue beyond typical developmental ages
- Your child becomes frustrated when trying to communicate
- Teachers, caregivers or others have noted speech concerns
- Your child has a history of hearing loss, frequent ear infections or delayed speech development
How We Can Help
At the Center for Hearing and Speech, our licensed speech-language pathologists offer:
- Comprehensive speech and sound evaluations
- Individualized therapy to target specific articulation or phonological issues
- Home practice strategies for families
- Collaborative support with schools and other professionals
Get in Touch
Early intervention can greatly improve your child’s ability to communicate confidently. If you have concerns about your child’s speech development, we’re here to help.
Call Center for Hearing & Speech at (314) 968-4710 for more information or to schedule an appointment.
