What Are Speech Difficulties?

Speech difficulties refer to challenges producing speech sounds clearly and accurately.

Speech involves coordinating the lips, tongue, jaw, vocal cords and breathing system to produce understandable speech. When any part of this process is disrupted, speech may become difficult to understand.

​Speech difficulties can range from mild to significant and may affect:
  • Speech clarity
  • Pronunciation of sounds
  • Speech fluency
  • Voice quality
  • Motor planning for speech
  • Communication confidence
Children with speech difficulties often know what they want to say but may struggle to produce the sounds needed to communicate clearly.
Speech Difficulties vs Language Difficulties

Speech and language difficulties are often confused, but they are different.

Speech Difficulties
Speech difficulties involve how sounds are produced.Examples include:
  • Saying "wabbit" instead of "rabbit"
  • Leaving sounds out of words
  • Difficulty coordinating speech movements
  • Speech that is difficult to understand

Language Difficulties
​Language difficulties involve understanding or using words and sentences.Examples include:
  • Difficulty following instructions
  • Limited vocabulary
  • Difficulty forming sentences
  • Challenges expressing ideas
Some children experience speech difficulties, some experience language difficulties and others experience both.
Common Types of Speech Difficulties

Speech Sound Disorders
Speech Sound Disorders occur when children have difficulty producing speech sounds correctly. This may involve substituting, omitting or distorting sounds.

Articulation Difficulties
Articulation difficulties occur when a child has difficulty producing specific sounds correctly.
Examples may include:
  • Lisping
  • Difficulty producing "r" sounds
  • Difficulty producing "th" sounds

Phonological Disorders
Children with phonological disorders have difficulty understanding and using speech sound patterns correctly.

Childhood Apraxia of Speech (CAS)
CAS is a motor speech disorder where children have difficulty planning and coordinating the movements needed for speech.Children often know what they want to say but have difficulty producing words consistently.

Dysarthria
Dysarthria occurs when weakness or reduced coordination of the muscles used for speech affects clarity and intelligibility.

Stuttering and Fluency Difficulties
​Fluency difficulties affect the smooth flow of speech and may involve repetitions, prolongations or blocks.
Common Signs of Speech Difficulties

Children with speech difficulties may:
  • Be difficult for unfamiliar people to understand
  • Leave sounds out of words
  • Substitute one sound for another
  • Distort speech sounds
  • Become frustrated when speaking
  • Avoid talking in certain situations
  • Have difficulty being understood at school or childcare
  • Use gestures instead of speech when communicating
  • Struggle to imitate sounds or words
  • Have inconsistent pronunciation of words
The presentation varies depending on the type and severity of the speech difficulty.
Signs of Speech Difficulties by Age

Toddlers (1–3 Years)
Potential signs may include:
  • Limited babbling
  • Delayed first words
  • Difficulty imitating sounds
  • Speech that is difficult for family members to understand
  • Limited use of age-appropriate sounds

Preschool Children (3–5 Years)
Potential signs may include:
  • Frequent speech sound errors
  • Difficulty being understood by unfamiliar people
  • Frustration when communicating
  • Omitting sounds from words
  • Difficulty producing longer words

School-Aged Children
Potential signs may include:
  • Ongoing speech errors beyond expected developmental ages
  • Difficulties with classroom participation
  • Reduced confidence when speaking
  • Challenges reading aloud
  • Difficulties with presentations and social communication
What Causes Speech Difficulties?

Speech difficulties can occur for many different reasons.
Contributing factors may include:

Developmental Speech Sound Disorders
Some children experience difficulties learning and producing speech sounds correctly during development.

Hearing Differences
Hearing plays an important role in speech development. Children with hearing difficulties may have challenges learning speech sounds accurately.

Childhood Apraxia of Speech
Children with apraxia have difficulty planning and coordinating speech movements despite knowing what they want to say.

Neurological Conditions
Conditions such as Cerebral Palsy, acquired brain injuries, epilepsy and other neurological differences may affect speech production.

Genetic Conditions
Conditions such as Down syndrome and Fragile X syndrome may impact speech development.

Autism Spectrum Disorder
Some autistic children may experience speech differences alongside broader communication differences.

Structural Differences
Conditions such as cleft lip and palate may affect speech sound production.

Developmental Delays
​Speech development may occur at a different pace for some children.
Speech Difficulties and Autism

​Speech difficulties and autism are not the same thing.

Some autistic children experience delayed speech development, speech sound difficulties or communication differences, while others develop speech typically or demonstrate advanced language skills.

Speech Pathology assessment can help identify each child's strengths, communication style and support needs.
Childhood Apraxia of Speech (CAS)

Childhood Apraxia of Speech is one of the most commonly searched speech disorders by parents.
Children with CAS may:
  • Have delayed speech development
  • Produce words inconsistently
  • Have difficulty combining sounds
  • Struggle to imitate speech
  • Be difficult to understand
CAS is a motor speech disorder and requires specialised Speech Pathology assessment and intervention.

Early identification can help children access appropriate support and communication strategies.
How Speech Difficulties Can Affect Daily Life

Speech difficulties can affect more than communication alone.
Children may experience challenges with:

Social Participation
  • Making friends
  • Joining conversations
  • Participating in group activities

Education
  • Classroom participation
  • Reading aloud
  • Presentations
  • Answering questions

Emotional Wellbeing
  • Frustration
  • Reduced confidence
  • Anxiety about speaking
  • Avoidance of communication situations
Supporting communication confidence is often just as important as improving speech clarity.
When Should Parents Seek Support?

Every child develops differently.
​It may be beneficial to seek a Speech Pathology assessment if:
  • Your child's speech is difficult to understand
  • Speech errors are persisting longer than expected
  • Your child becomes frustrated when communicating
  • Teachers or caregivers have raised concerns
  • Communication challenges are affecting participation
  • You have concerns about speech development at any age
Early assessment can provide reassurance, identify support needs and guide intervention recommendations.
How Speech Pathologists Help Children with Speech Difficulties

Speech Pathologists assess and support a wide range of speech difficulties.
Support may include:
  • Speech assessments
  • Speech sound intervention
  • Articulation therapy
  • Motor speech intervention
  • Parent coaching
  • School and childcare collaboration
  • Communication confidence building
  • Individualised therapy programs
Intervention is tailored to each child's strengths, goals and support needs.
Supporting Speech Development at Home
​
Parents and caregivers play an important role in speech development.
Helpful strategies may include:
  • Reading together regularly
  • Modelling clear speech
  • Giving children time to communicate
  • Encouraging conversation during daily activities
  • Following your child's interests during play
  • Practising strategies recommended by your Speech Pathologist
Small, consistent opportunities for communication throughout the day can support ongoing development.
Steps for Parents: Addressing Suspected Speech Difficulties

1. Observe and Document
Take note of your child's speech patterns, pronunciation difficulties and communication challenges.

2. Review Developmental Milestones
Compare your child's speech development with age-appropriate expectations.

3. Speak with Teachers and Caregivers
Gather information about how your child communicates across different environments.

4. Arrange a Speech Pathology Assessment
A comprehensive assessment can help identify strengths, support needs and recommendations.

5. Participate in Therapy and Home Practice
Consistency across therapy, home and educational settings often supports skill development.

6. Monitor Progress
Maintain communication with your Speech Pathologist and adjust goals as needed.

7. Encourage Positive Communication Experiences
Focus on what your child is communicating rather than correcting every speech error.

8. Stay Informed
Learning about speech development and available supports can help families make informed decisions.
Speech Pathology Services Across Western Australia

Belong Health provides Speech Pathology services for children experiencing speech difficulties across Perth, Mandurah, Rockingham, the Peel Region and regional Western Australia.

Services may be provided in homes, schools, childcare centres, community settings and through telehealth.

Our team works collaboratively with families, educators and other healthcare professionals to help children develop clearer communication, greater confidence and increased participation in everyday life.

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 - Speech Difficulties

What are speech difficulties?
Speech difficulties refer to challenges producing speech sounds clearly and accurately. They may affect how understandable a person's speech is and can involve articulation difficulties, speech sound disorders, motor speech disorders, fluency difficulties or voice disorders.

What is the difference between a speech difficulty and a language difficulty?
Speech difficulties relate to how sounds are produced and spoken. Language difficulties relate to understanding or using words, sentences and communication. A child may experience one or both.

What are the most common speech disorders?
Common speech disorders include:
  • Speech Sound Disorder
  • Articulation Difficulties
  • Phonological Disorder
  • Childhood Apraxia of Speech (CAS)
  • Dysarthria
  • Stuttering and Fluency Difficulties
  • Voice Disorders

What are the early signs of speech difficulties?
Signs may include:
  • Difficulty pronouncing sounds
  • Speech that is difficult for others to understand
  • Leaving sounds out of words
  • Replacing one sound with another
  • Difficulty coordinating mouth movements for speech
  • Frustration when communicating

At what age should I be concerned about speech development?
​Every child develops differently, but concerns may arise if speech is difficult to understand, speech milestones are not being met, or communication challenges are affecting participation at home, childcare or school.

What is a speech delay?
A speech delay occurs when a child's speech development is progressing more slowly than expected for their age. This may affect speech clarity, sound development and communication.

What is the difference between a speech delay and a language delay?
A speech delay affects the production of speech sounds and speech clarity. A language delay affects understanding language, using words, combining sentences and communicating ideas. Some children experience both speech and language delays.

When do late talkers catch up?
Some late talkers naturally develop speech and language skills over time, while others benefit from additional support. Assessment can help identify whether intervention may be beneficial and guide appropriate next steps.

Does speech delay always mean autism?
No. Speech delays can occur for many reasons and do not automatically indicate autism. Some autistic children experience speech delays, while others develop speech typically or have advanced language skills.

How do I know if my child has a speech delay but is not autistic?
Speech delays can occur independently of autism. Children may have speech difficulties while demonstrating age-appropriate social interaction, play skills and social communication. Assessment can help identify factors contributing to communication differences.

What causes speech difficulties?
Speech difficulties may be associated with:
  • Developmental speech sound disorders
  • Hearing differences
  • Childhood Apraxia of Speech
  • Neurological conditions
  • Genetic conditions
  • Structural differences such as cleft palate
  • Developmental delays
  • Auditory processing differences
Sometimes no single cause is identified.

Can hearing problems affect speech development?
Yes. Hearing plays an important role in speech development. Children with hearing differences may have difficulty learning and producing speech sounds accurately.

What is Childhood Apraxia of Speech?
Childhood Apraxia of Speech (CAS) is a motor speech disorder where children have difficulty planning and coordinating the movements needed for speech. Children know what they want to say but may struggle to produce sounds and words consistently.

What are the first signs of Childhood Apraxia of Speech?
Signs may include:
  • Limited babbling as a baby
  • Delayed first words
  • Difficulty imitating sounds
  • Inconsistent speech errors
  • Difficulty combining sounds into words
  • Speech that is difficult to understand

What is a Speech Sound Disorder?
Speech Sound Disorder is an umbrella term describing difficulties producing speech sounds correctly. This may involve articulation difficulties, phonological difficulties or motor speech challenges.

Can bilingual children have speech difficulties?
Yes. Bilingual children can experience speech difficulties just like monolingual children. Learning multiple languages does not cause speech disorders.
​
Can autism affect speech development?
Some autistic children experience speech differences, delayed speech development or communication differences. However, speech development varies considerably among autistic individuals.

Can ADHD affect speech?
Some children with ADHD may experience communication challenges related to attention, organisation and impulsivity. These challenges can affect communication but are not necessarily speech disorders.

What neurological conditions can affect speech?
Speech difficulties may occur alongside:
  • Cerebral Palsy
  • Stroke
  • Traumatic Brain Injury
  • Epilepsy
  • Parkinson's Disease
  • Multiple Sclerosis
  • Motor Neurone Disease
The impact varies depending on the individual and condition.

What is aphasia?
Aphasia is a language disorder caused by damage to areas of the brain responsible for language. It commonly occurs following stroke or brain injury and may affect speaking, understanding, reading and writing.

How are speech difficulties assessed?
A Speech Pathologist may assess:
  • Speech sound development
  • Speech clarity
  • Oral motor skills
  • Language skills
  • Communication abilities
  • Hearing history
  • Functional participation
Assessment findings help guide intervention recommendations.

How do Speech Pathologists help children with speech difficulties?
Speech Pathologists may support:
  • Speech sound development
  • Articulation skills
  • Motor speech skills
  • Communication confidence
  • Oral motor coordination
  • Parent coaching
  • School and childcare collaboration
Intervention is tailored to each child's needs and goals.

Can speech difficulties improve?
Many children make meaningful progress when provided with appropriate support, intervention and opportunities to practise communication skills. Progress varies between individuals.

How can parents support speech development at home?
Parents can support speech development by:
  • Reading together regularly
  • Modelling clear speech
  • Encouraging conversation
  • Expanding on their child's communication attempts
  • Following recommendations from their Speech Pathologist

Do I need a Speech Pathology assessment?
If you have concerns about your child's speech clarity, sound development or communication abilities, an assessment can help identify strengths, support needs and next steps.

Is support available through the NDIS?
Some children may be eligible for NDIS-funded Speech Pathology supports depending on their circumstances and eligibility criteria.

Can speech therapy be delivered through telehealth?
Yes. Many speech therapy services can be provided through telehealth, particularly for families living in regional and remote areas of Western Australia.
Related Resources

Speech Pathology Services
Autism & ADHD Resources
Learning & Development
Additional Supports
Your Support​ Matters
If you find these resources helpful, please support us in creating more valuable content by leaving a review on Facebook and Google.
Your feedback helps us continue to provide support and information that benefits our community.
​Stay updated with our latest resources and tips by liking us on Facebook!

Let's Work Together

​Referrals to Belong Health
We are Medicare and Private Health fund registered for Occupational Therapy and Speech Pathology.

EPC/Team care arrangements/Chronic disease (CDM) or GP management plans and self-referrals are all acceptable.

WA NDIS Registered Provider  

Accessing our Perth services

Medicare
You can get a referral from your/your child’s GP for OT on a Chronic Disease Management (CDM) plan this gives you 5 sessions for OT per calendar year with a $53 rebate available on each session or a Helping Children with Autism/PDD/ or an eligible disability package (20 sessions between allied health professionals, as set up by a Paediatrician/Psychiatrist) which gives your child under 16 years a $75 rebate per session for the 20 sessions, you can use up to 10 sessions per Health Professional (up to 10 for OT) and you will need a separate referral letter from your child’s Paediatrician for each Allied Health Professional you are seeking services from. 
Private Health
Your Private Health fund may cover up to 75% of the cost of OT sessions if this is included in your cover, be sure to call them or check your policy for details.

No referral or self referral
You do not require a referral for accessing OT
NDIS Registered Provider
We are an NDIS Registered Provider
Whether you or your child have NDIS funding that is NDIS Managed, Third Party Plan Managed or you are Self-Managing your funds, you are able to use your funding to cover the full cost of therapy services plus travel costs. You will need provide us with your/your child’s NDIS number and plan details ahead of your first session. Once you have booked a session or contacted us, our team will be in touch to discuss our service agreement and provide you with our services price list. 

13 Littleton st, Falcon

Phone: 08 9586 3934

EMAIL US
OFFICE HOURS:         MONDAY TO FRIDAY 8:30am - 4:30pm

BELONG HEALTH'S Paediatric Occupational Therapy SERVICES FOR Perth region

A: Alexander Heights, Alfred Cove, Applecross, Applecross North, Ardross, Armadale, Ascot, Ashby, Ashfield, Attadale, Atwell, Aubin Grove, Aveley
B: Balcatta, Balga, Ballajura, Banjup, Banksia Grove, Baskerville, Bassendean, Bateman, Bayswater, Beaconsfield, Beckenham, Bedford, Bedfordale, Beechboro, Beeliar, Beldon, Belhus, Bellevue, Belmont, Bennett Springs, Bentley, Bibra Lake, Bicton, Booragoon, Boya, Brabham, Brentwood, Brigadoon, Broadway Nedlands, Brookdale, Bull Creek, Burns Beach, Burswood, Bushmead, Butler
C: Canning Vale, Cannington, Carabooda, Carine, Carlisle, Carramar, Caversham, Champion Lakes, Churchlands, City Beach, Claremont, Clarkson, Cloverdale, Cockburn Central, Como, Connolly, Coogee, Coolbellup, Coolbinia, Cottesloe, Craigie, Crawley, Currambine
D: Daglish, Dalkeith, Darch, Darlington, Dayton, Dianella, Dog Swamp, Doubleview, Duncraig
E: East Cannington, East Fremantle, East Perth, East Victoria Park, Eden Hill, Edgewater, Ellenbrook, Embleton
F: Ferndale, Floreat, Forrestdale, Forrestfield, Fremantle
G: Gidgegannup, Girrawheen, Glen Forrest, Glendalough, Glengarry, Gnangara, Gosnells, Greenmount, Greenwood, Guildford, Gwelup
H: Hamersley, Hamilton Hill, Hammond Park, Harrisdale, Haynes, Hazelmere, Heathridge, Helena Valley, Henderson, Henley Brook, Herdsman, Herne Hill, High Wycombe, Highgate, Hilbert, Hillarys, Hilton, Hocking, Hovea, Huntingdale
I: Iluka, Inglewood, Innaloo, Jandabup, Jandakot, Jane Brook, Jindalee, Jolimont, Joondalup, Joondanna
K: Kallaroo, Karawara, Kardinya, Karragullen, Karrakatta, Karrinyup, Kelmscott, Kensington, Kenwick, Kewdale, Kiara, Kings Park, Kingsley, Kingsway, Kinross, Koondoola, Koongamia
L: Landsdale, Langford, Lathlain, Leederville, Leeming, Lexia, Lockridge, Lynwood
M: Maddington, Madeley, Mahogany Creek, Maida Vale, Malaga, Manning, Marangaroo, Mariginiup, Marmion, Martin, Maylands, Melaleuca, Melville, Menora, Merriwa, Middle Swan, Midland, Midvale, Millendon, Mindarie, Mirrabooka, Morangup, Morley, Mosman Park, Mount Claremont, Mount Hawthorn, Mount Lawley, Mount Nasura, Mount Pleasant, Mount Richon, Mullaloo, Munster, Murdoch, Myaree
N: Nedlands, Neerabup, Nollamara, Noranda, North Beach, North Coogee, North Fremantle, North Lake, North Perth, Northbridge, Nowergup
O: O'connor, Ocean Reef, Orange Grove, Osborne Park
P: Padbury, Palmyra, Parkerville, Parkwood, Pearsall, Peppermint Grove, Perth, Piara Waters, Pinjar, Queens Park, Quinns Rocks
R: Red Hill, Redcliffe, Ridgewood, Riverton, Rivervale, Roleystone, Rossmoyne, Rottnest Island
S: Salter Point, Samson, Sawyers Valley, Scarborough, Seville Grove, Shelley, Shenton Park, Sinagra, Sorrento, South Fremantle, South Guildford, South Lake, South Perth, Southern River, Spearwood, St James, Stirling, Stoneville, Stratton, Subiaco, Subiaco East, Success, Swan View, Swanbourne
T: Tamala Park, Tapping, The Vines, Thornlie, Treeby, Trigg, Tuart Hill
U: Upper Swan
V: Victoria Park
W: Wangara, Wanneroo, Warwick, Waterford, Watermans Bay, Wattle Grove, Wattleup, Welshpool, Wembley, Wembley Downs, West Leederville, West Perth, West Swan, Westfield, Westminster, White Gum Valley, Whiteman, Willagee, Willetton, Wilson, Winthrop, Woodbridge, Woodlands, Woodvale, Wungong
Y: Yangebup, Yokine​
© COPYRIGHT 2026. BELONG HEALTH ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.
Belong Health
G-DG08MQWCJD G-DG08MQWCJD