I think my child has an articulation disorder...What can I do?
First of all, welcome to Jessica Washer Speech Therapy. Simply by beginning to research what you can do you are already well on your way to helping your child receive the best help possible. First, let's address if your child has a problem...
Does my child have an articulation disorder?
Basically, by age 2 your child should be 50% intelligible, by age 3 they should be 75% intelligible, and by age 4 your child should be 100% intelligible to new listeners. Your child may be having difficulty with individual phonemes (sounds). The following is an excellent list of the development of those sounds. You can use this list to decide if a speech therapy consultation or assessment is appropriate. (For example, if your 3 year old is still having difficulty with /r/, it's developmentally appropriate, you don't need speech therapy quite yet).
Here is a great list of sound development from teachmetotalk.com
By 18 months –
- Child produces 3 to 6 different consonant sounds with each child having a little different consonant inventory.
By 24 months
- Initial Sounds – /p, b, m, t, n, d, h, k, g/
- Final Sounds – /p, m, n/
- Produces Most Vowel Sounds Correctly and at least 6-8 different consonant sounds.
By 28 months
- Initial Sounds /d, f, and y/
- Final Sounds – /s, d, k, f/ and n /
By 32 months
- Initial Sounds – /w/
- Final Sounds? - /t, b, r/
By 36 months
- Initial Sounds – /s/
- Final Sounds – /l, g/ and /er/ endings
- Child uses at least 9-12 different consonant sounds.
By 40 months
- Initial Sounds – /l, r/
- Some consonant blends bl, br, tr
- Final Sounds /v/ and sh
By 44 months
- Initial Sounds sh and ch and fl
- Final Sounds ch
By 48 months
- Initial sp, st, kl
After 48 months
- Initial – /z, v/ and j and th
- Final – /z/ and th and j
Numerous Vowel Errors – Most
children have mastered nearly all vowel sounds by age 2. Some errors
are still acceptable are age 2, but by age 3, all vowels be mastered
(with exception of /r/ vowels).
Widespread Deletion of Initial Consonants- By 2 a child should use at least 3 to 4 different consonant sounds at the beginnings of words. By 3 a child should have a large repertoire of initial consonants.
Substitution of Back Consonants /k/ and /g/ or /h/ for a variety of Consonants- This is atypical phonological development and should be targeted even in very young children.
Deletion of Final Consonants after age 3- By
24 months in language delayed children some final consonant deletions
are expected, but by 36 months, all children should be producing words
with ending consonant sounds.
What can I do?
If, after reading these lists, you have decided that your child does indeed require consultation or assessment to get into speech therapy, here are some great activities you as a parent can do:
- Choose one sound they are having difficulty with, then read a book with your child and emphasize that sound. Have them repeat those words back to you.
- Find objects out of the car window that start with your child's sound and point them out. Make it a game to find objects that start with their target sound.
- Use playdough and make the letters for the child's target sound. You could also create playdough sculptures of objects with that sound. Another fun variation would be to draw with sidewalk chalk or with your fingers in flour.
- Download articulation apps on your tablet or phone and have the child play. I enjoy abcmouse.com letter videos or youtube videos from "Have Fun Teaching" which review many speech sounds. The "Have Fun Teaching" videos are especially great for "auditory bombardment" (having the child listen to the sound over and over again) and are really fun to sing and dance along to.
- Use tangible and intangible positive reinforcement when practicing. When your child pronounces their target sound correctly tell them "Good job!" or "What a great sounding /s/!" Give hugs, high fives, or fist pounds to help them know they are doing a good job. You could also set up a chart that for every 10 sounds they say correctly they get M&Ms or a healthy snack they love. Make speech fun!
- Ask your speech therapist. Your speech therapist may have word lists, resources for free activities, and advice on where to start with your child.
My advice is its always better to be safe than sorry as far as speech therapy is concerned. If you looked at these lists and still have concerns please consult with a Speech Pathologist and get screened or assessed to see if those concerns are appropriate. Early intervention is the best intervention and outcomes for children who receive Speech therapy earlier rather than later are fantastic. Those children with early speech therapy are in speech for less time and typically have significantly better results.
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