Children of all ages can experience speech difficulties that affect their abilities to produce sound and coherent meaning. While many cases resolve themselves over time, a child whose skills do not improve may have a speech disorder. If you detect signs of a speech disorder, your child will benefit from a speech therapy program. The guide below explains what parents need to know about speech difficulties.

What Causes Speech Difficulties?

Speech problems can be a result of a number of issues ranging from physical to neurological. Both disease and congenital conditions can alter the mouth, teeth, vocal cords, or jaw muscles, making speech a challenge. Brain or nerve damage from conditions such as cerebral palsy may also impair muscle function and impact speech. Hearing loss and vocal cord conditions, such as laryngeal webs or throat cancer, affect pitch and clarity. A speech therapy program will help your family identify the root of the issue.

What Are Some Common Speech Disorders?

There are many different speech disorders, so it’s important to know what your child is experiencing. Stuttering is fairly common in young children, but if it occurs at an unusual frequency, it may become a long-term issue. A child who demonstrates apraxia of speech has a disconnect between their brain and the muscles required to speak. They know what they want to say, but can’t quite physically get the words out correctly, if at all.

Dysarthria, a motor speech disorder, involves difficulty speaking coherently due to weakened muscles. A child with dysarthria might slur; speak too quickly or slowly; mumble; or have difficulty moving their lips, tongue, and jaw. Children who are not communicating at the appropriate age level could be experiencing speech delay. Also known as alalia, it can be caused by brain damage, developmental disorders, or simply being a “late bloomer.”

Are Speech Disorders Treatable?

Many parents worry about the permanence of their child’s speech difficulties. Thankfully, with the help of a reputable speech therapy program, your child will get the help they need to improve their skills. The earlier you spot a speech disorder, the more effective treatment will be. Professional speech therapists will work closely with your family to tackle the issue head-on, give advice on how to help at home, and use the most efficient methods to treat your child’s particular case. Children who have from speech difficulties often feel frustrated, anxious, and reluctant to speak as they get older. A speech therapy program is critical to their development and self-confidence.

Does your child have difficulty speaking clearly and coherently? The speech therapy program at Sounds of Success: Preschool and Learning Center will help them develop their skills and thrive. Serving families across Oahu, this preschool and day care center offers high-quality education and effective speech therapy to help kids of all ages reach their full potential. For more information about the admissions process, call (808) 488-2211 or visit their website.