What Are Articulation Difficulties?

Articulation difficulties refer to challenges producing speech sounds accurately.
Speech sounds are created through the coordinated movement of the:
  • Lips
  • Tongue
  • Jaw
  • Teeth
  • Soft palate
  • Vocal system
When these movements do not occur as expected, children may have difficulty producing particular sounds or words clearly.
Articulation difficulties may affect one sound or multiple sounds and can range from mild to severe.
Common Examples of Articulation Difficulties

A child may:
Substitute Sounds
Replacing one sound with another.
Examples:
  • "Wabbit" instead of "Rabbit"
  • "Tat" instead of "Cat"
  • "Fumb" instead of "Thumb"

Omit Sounds
Leaving sounds out of words.
Examples:
  • "Ca" instead of "Cat"
  • "Nana" instead of "Banana"

Distort Sounds
Producing sounds differently than expected.
Examples:
  • Lisping
  • Slurred speech sounds
  • Unclear sound production

​Add Sounds
Adding extra sounds to words.
Examples:
  • "Buhlack" instead of "Black"
  • "Puhlease" instead of "Please"
Signs Your Child May Have Articulation Difficulties

​Some possible signs include:
  • Difficulty pronouncing certain sounds
  • Speech that is difficult for unfamiliar people to understand
  • Frequent sound substitutions
  • Leaving sounds out of words
  • Distorted speech sounds
  • Frustration when communicating
  • Avoiding speaking in certain situations
  • Reduced confidence when talking
  • Difficulty being understood at school or childcare
When Should Parents Seek Support?

Every child develops speech at their own pace.
However, it may be helpful to seek advice if:
  • Your child is difficult to understand compared to other children of the same age
  • Speech sound errors continue beyond expected developmental ages
  • Your child becomes frustrated when communicating
  • Teachers or educators express concerns
  • Speech difficulties affect participation, friendships or learning
Early support can help children develop clearer communication skills and confidence.
What Causes Articulation Difficulties?

Articulation difficulties can occur for many different reasons.

Developmental Speech Sound Delays
Some children take longer to develop speech sounds than expected.
​
Hearing Difficulties
Children need to hear speech sounds clearly to learn how to produce them accurately.
Hearing loss, recurrent ear infections or hearing differences can impact speech development.

Oral-Motor Difficulties
Weakness or reduced coordination of the lips, tongue and jaw may affect speech sound production.
Neurological ConditionsSome neurological conditions can impact speech development, including:
  • Childhood Apraxia of Speech
  • Cerebral Palsy
  • Dysarthria
  • Acquired Brain Injury

Structural Differences
Structural differences may affect speech production, including:
  • Cleft palate
  • Tongue tie
  • Dental abnormalities
  • Oral structural differences

​Auditory Processing Differences
Children with Auditory Processing Disorder (APD) may have difficulty distinguishing between similar speech sounds.
Developmental ConditionsSpeech difficulties may occur alongside:
  • Autism
  • ADHD
  • Developmental Delay
  • Intellectual Disability
  • Genetic conditions
Many children with articulation difficulties do not have an additional diagnosis.
How Speech Pathology Can Help

Speech Pathologists assess and support children experiencing articulation difficulties.
Support may include:
​
Speech Sound Assessment
Identifying which sounds are affected and understanding how errors are occurring.

Individualised Therapy
Therapy activities are tailored to the child's needs, goals and developmental level.

Home Practice Programs
Families receive strategies and activities to support progress between sessions.

Parent Coaching
Parents play an important role in supporting speech development throughout everyday routines.

School and Childcare Collaboration
Speech Pathologists may work alongside educators to support communication goals across environments.
Steps for Parents If You Are Concerned About Your Child's Speech

1. Observe Your Child's Speech
Notice:​
  • Which sounds are difficult
  • How often errors occur
  • Whether others understand your child
2. Compare Developmental Expectations
Review speech development milestones through trusted sources.

3. Speak With Teachers and Educators
They may notice communication difficulties in group settings or educational environments.

4. Consider a Hearing Assessment
Hearing plays an important role in speech development.

5. Contact a Speech Pathologist
A Speech Pathologist can complete an assessment and provide recommendations.

6. Implement Strategies at Home
Practising speech sounds during everyday activities can help reinforce learning.
​
7. Monitor Progress
Celebrate improvements and maintain ongoing communication with your therapy team.
Supporting Articulation Development at Home

Parents can support speech development by:
  • Reading together
  • Modelling clear speech
  • Playing sound-based games
  • Practising target sounds during play
  • Providing positive encouragement
  • Avoiding pressure or criticism
  • Creating opportunities for conversation
The goal is to build confidence and communication success.

Have a question? or need more information

Our friendly team are happy to help call us on 08 9586 3934 or send us a message

    Contact Us
​Frequently Asked Questions- Articulation Difficulties

What are articulation difficulties?
​Articulation difficulties occur when a child has difficulty producing one or more speech sounds correctly, affecting how clearly they are understood.

What is an example of an articulation difficulty?
Examples include saying "wabbit" instead of "rabbit", "tat" instead of "cat", or leaving sounds out of words.

What causes articulation difficulties?
Possible causes include developmental speech delays, hearing differences, oral-motor difficulties, neurological conditions, structural differences, and auditory processing challenges.

What is the difference between articulation difficulties and speech delay?
Speech delay refers to slower overall speech development, while articulation difficulties specifically relate to producing speech sounds accurately.

When should I worry about articulation difficulties?
It may be helpful to seek support if your child is difficult to understand, becomes frustrated when communicating, or continues to make speech sound errors beyond expected developmental ages.

Can a child have articulation difficulties without autism?
Yes.
Many children with articulation difficulties do not have Autism or any other diagnosis.

Can a child have articulation difficulties without a developmental diagnosis?
Absolutely.
Articulation difficulties commonly occur on their own.

What are some early signs of articulation difficulties?
Signs may include speech that is difficult to understand, sound substitutions, sound omissions, distorted sounds, and communication frustration.

What is Childhood Apraxia of Speech?
Childhood Apraxia of Speech is a motor speech disorder where children have difficulty planning and coordinating the movements required for speech.

How common are articulation difficulties?
Speech sound difficulties are one of the most common reasons children are referred to Speech Pathologists.

Can articulation difficulties affect reading and writing?
Sometimes.
Speech sound difficulties may impact phonological awareness and early literacy development.

Can articulation difficulties affect confidence?
Yes.
Some children may become less confident when they are not easily understood by others.

At what age should speech sounds be clear?
Children develop speech sounds at different rates.
Many younger children make speech sound errors as part of typical development. However, if speech remains difficult to understand compared to peers, an assessment may be beneficial.

Will my child grow out of articulation difficulties?
Some speech sound errors resolve naturally as children develop.
However, persistent articulation difficulties may benefit from Speech Pathology support to help improve speech clarity and communication confidence.

How do Speech Pathologists assess articulation difficulties?
A Speech Pathologist may assess:
  • Speech sound production
  • Speech intelligibility
  • Oral motor skills
  • Communication development
  • Developmental history
This information helps identify appropriate goals and intervention strategies.

How are articulation difficulties treated?
Treatment may include:
  • Speech sound practice
  • Listening activities
  • Visual and verbal cueing
  • Home practice activities
  • Parent coaching
Therapy is tailored to the child's individual needs and goals.

How long does speech therapy for articulation difficulties take?
The duration of therapy varies depending on factors such as:
  • The speech sounds involved
  • Severity of difficulties
  • Frequency of practice
  • Age of the child
  • Individual learning needs
Your Speech Pathologist can provide more personalised guidance following assessment.

Can articulation difficulties occur alongside ADHD?
Yes.
Some children experience both articulation difficulties and ADHD.
Attention, working memory, and executive functioning differences may sometimes affect participation in speech therapy and communication development.

Can articulation difficulties occur alongside Autism?
Yes.
Some autistic children experience speech sound difficulties, while others do not.
Assessment helps identify the factors contributing to communication differences and support needs.

What happens during an articulation assessment?
A Speech Pathologist may assess speech sound production, speech clarity, communication skills, and developmental history before providing recommendations.

Can articulation difficulties improve?
Yes.
Many children make significant progress with appropriate support, practice, and intervention.

Does Belong Health provide articulation assessments?
Yes.
Belong Health provides Speech Pathology assessments and support for articulation difficulties across Perth, Mandurah, Rockingham, and Western Australia.
Related Resources

Speech Pathology Services
Related Speech Pages
Autism & ADHD Resources
​Home Support Resources
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