Understanding Types of Speech Disorders in Children

Table of Contents

1. Introduction
2. What is Speech? Understanding the Foundation of Communication
3. Common Types of Speech Disorders in Children
4. Why Do Speech Disorders Occur? Exploring the Causes
5. Identifying a Speech Disorder: Signs and Symptoms to Watch For
6. The Diagnostic Process: What to Expect
7. Supporting Your Child: Interventions and Strategies
8. Choosing Speech Blubs: Value and Our Commitment
9. Conclusion
10. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Imagine a world where your child struggles to share their exciting discoveries, express their deepest feelings, or even just ask for a snack. It can be heartbreaking for any parent to witness their child grappling with communication, especially when it feels like a fundamental part of their growth. While every child develops at their own pace, some face unique challenges in making themselves understood. These challenges often stem from speech disorders, conditions that can make it difficult for children to produce sounds clearly, speak smoothly, or use their voice effectively.

The good news is that you are not alone in this journey. Millions of children experience speech disorders, and understanding what these are is the first, crucial step toward providing effective support. At Speech Blubs, we know firsthand the profound impact communication has on a child’s life – our company was born from the personal experiences of our founders, who all grew up with speech problems and created the tool they wished they had. We are committed to empowering children to “speak their minds and hearts.” This comprehensive guide will explore the various types of speech disorders in children, discuss their potential causes, outline key symptoms, and highlight how early intervention, combined with supportive tools like Speech Blubs, can make a world of difference. We believe that every child deserves the chance to communicate joyfully and confidently, and we’re here to help you navigate that path.

Introduction

Have you ever found yourself nodding along, pretending to understand your child’s excited babble, only to realize that their speech is consistently unclear compared to their peers? Or perhaps you’ve noticed frequent repetitions or hesitations in their words, causing frustration for both of you. These moments, though common, can sometimes signal an underlying speech disorder. Speech, the audible production of language, is a complex skill involving intricate coordination of the breath, vocal cords, tongue, lips, and jaw. When any part of this system isn’t working optimally, or when the brain has trouble sending the right signals, a speech disorder can arise.

This article aims to demystify the various types of speech disorders affecting children, offering clear descriptions, common signs, and practical advice. We’ll delve into articulation, phonological, fluency, voice, and motor speech disorders, explaining how they differ and what each means for your child’s communication development. Furthermore, we’ll discuss the importance of early detection and the significant role that tailored support, including innovative solutions like Speech Blubs, can play in fostering clear and confident speech. Our goal is to equip you with the knowledge and resources to better understand and support your child on their communication journey, ensuring they develop the ability to express themselves freely and joyfully.

What is Speech? Understanding the Foundation of Communication

Before diving into the specifics of disorders, it’s helpful to understand what “speech” itself entails. Speech is the verbal expression of language. It’s how we say words, involving the precise coordination of breathing, vocalization (making sounds with the vocal cords), and articulation (shaping sounds with the mouth, tongue, and teeth). It’s a physical act that brings thoughts and ideas into audible existence.

Differentiating Speech from Language

Often, the terms “speech” and “language” are used interchangeably, but in the context of development and disorders, they refer to distinct aspects of communication.

• Speech refers to the how of talking—the actual sounds, the clarity, the voice, and the flow. Think of it as the mechanics of verbal communication. A child with a speech disorder might know exactly what they want to say (their language skills are fine), but they struggle to physically produce the sounds or words clearly.
• Language refers to the what of talking—the system of words, sentences, and meanings. It involves understanding and being understood. This includes vocabulary (the words we know), grammar (how we put words together), and pragmatics (how we use language in social situations). A child with a language disorder might have difficulty understanding instructions (receptive language) or forming coherent sentences (expressive language), even if they can make all the sounds correctly.

While speech and language can be affected independently, they often influence each other. A child with significant speech clarity issues might also appear to have language difficulties because their unclear speech makes it hard for others to understand their messages. Early intervention often addresses both areas, as they are intrinsically linked in overall communication development.

The Importance of Clear Speech in Early Development

Clear and effective speech is more than just making sounds; it’s fundamental to a child’s holistic development. When a child can speak clearly and be understood, it builds their confidence, reduces frustration, and fosters positive social interactions. They can make friends, participate in class, and express their needs and desires. Conversely, difficulties with speech can lead to challenges in learning, social isolation, and even emotional distress, such as anxiety or withdrawal, as highlighted by various research. Supporting speech development early on lays a strong foundation for literacy, academic success, and overall well-being. This is why we at Speech Blubs are so passionate about our mission to help children overcome these hurdles, transforming potential communication frustration into joyful expression.

Common Types of Speech Disorders in Children

Understanding the different categories of speech disorders can help parents identify specific challenges and seek appropriate support. While many young children experience temporary delays, persistent difficulties may indicate a disorder that could benefit from targeted intervention.

Articulation Disorders

An articulation disorder is characterized by difficulty producing speech sounds correctly. This isn’t about knowing the word but physically making the sound. Children with articulation disorders may omit, substitute, distort, or add sounds in words. These errors are often inconsistent and can make their speech hard to understand.

• What They Are: These disorders involve motoric difficulties in precisely placing the tongue, lips, and jaw to produce individual speech sounds. For example, a child might consistently say “wabbit” instead of “rabbit” or “thun” instead of “sun.”
• Common Examples:
  • Substitutions: Replacing one sound with another (e.g., “w” for “r,” “th” for “s”).
  • Omissions: Leaving out sounds (e.g., “nana” for “banana,” “at” for “cat”).
  • Distortions: Producing a sound inaccurately (e.g., a “slushy” ‘s’ sound, where air escapes improperly).
  • Additions: Inserting extra sounds into words (e.g., “buh-lue” for “blue”).
• When to Be Concerned: While some sound errors are developmentally typical at certain ages (e.g., ‘r’ and ‘l’ sounds are often tricky for younger children), persistent errors beyond the expected age range for sound acquisition warrant attention. If your child’s speech is consistently unclear to people outside your immediate family by age three, it’s a good time to consult a professional.

For a parent whose 3-year-old struggles with specific sounds like “s” or “sh,” the interactive activities within Speech Blubs can be incredibly helpful. Our video modeling methodology allows children to watch and imitate their peers producing these sounds in fun, engaging contexts. For instance, in our “Crazy Faces” section, children can mimic exaggerated mouth movements, or in the “Animals” section, they can practice the “s” sound with “snake” or “seal,” seeing exactly how the mouth forms the sound. This kind of “smart screen time” provides a powerful, active learning experience, unlike passive viewing. To explore how this can benefit your child, you can download Speech Blubs from the App Store or get it on Google Play.

Phonological Disorders

Phonological disorders are distinct from articulation disorders because they involve patterns of sound errors, rather than just difficulty with individual sounds. Children with phonological disorders simplify speech patterns, making their words difficult to understand. They understand the rules of language differently.

• What They Are: Children with phonological disorders have difficulty organizing the sound patterns in their brains and applying the rules for using sounds in words. They might be able to make a sound correctly in isolation but not use it appropriately in different word positions or contexts.
• Examples:
  • Fronting: Replacing sounds made at the back of the mouth with sounds made at the front (e.g., “tat” for “cat,” “do” for “go”).
  • Stopping: Replacing fricative sounds (airflow is partially blocked) with stop sounds (airflow is completely blocked) (e.g., “pat” for “fat,” “dump” for “jump”).
  • Cluster Reduction: Reducing consonant clusters (e.g., “poon” for “spoon,” “nake” for “snake”).
  • Final Consonant Deletion: Leaving off the last sound of a word (e.g., “ca” for “cat,” “bo” for “boat”).
• How They Differ from Articulation Disorders: An articulation disorder is a motor problem (cannot make the sound). A phonological disorder is a cognitive-linguistic problem (doesn’t understand how to use the sound in the language system). While both affect clarity, the underlying cause and therapeutic approach differ.

Our approach at Speech Blubs helps children tackle these patterns by providing consistent exposure to correct sound models. Through interactive activities, children learn to associate sounds with words and practice them in varied contexts, helping to internalize the correct phonological rules. This playful, systematic exposure is key to building a robust sound system.

Childhood Apraxia of Speech (CAS): A Motor Planning Challenge

Childhood Apraxia of Speech (CAS) is a more severe and complex speech sound disorder. It’s a neurological condition that affects the brain’s ability to plan the movements needed for speech. The child knows what they want to say, but their brain struggles to tell their mouth muscles how to move to produce those sounds and sequences correctly.

• What It Is: CAS is a motor speech disorder, not a muscle weakness. It’s a problem with the planning of speech movements.
• Key Characteristics:
  • Inconsistent Errors: A child might say a word correctly once, then incorrectly the next time, or produce different errors for the same word.
  • Groping: Visible struggling to find the right mouth position for sounds.
  • Limited Babbling History: Often, children with CAS have a history of very limited or no babbling as infants.
  • Difficulty with Prosody: Problems with the rhythm, stress, and intonation of speech, making it sound robotic or monotone.
  • More Errors on Longer Words/Sentences: The more complex the speech, the more challenging it becomes.
• Why It’s Unique: CAS requires intensive, repetitive speech therapy focused on motor planning and sequencing. It’s often diagnosed by a Speech-Language Pathologist (SLP) who specializes in motor speech disorders.

For children requiring repetitive practice for motor planning, Speech Blubs offers a structured yet fun environment. The app’s video modeling method, where children watch and imitate peers, provides immediate visual and auditory feedback. This can be particularly beneficial for children with CAS as they work on sequencing sounds and syllables. Activities that encourage repetitive imitation of words and phrases, such as those found in our “What Am I Doing?” section, can help build muscle memory and improve the consistency of speech movements. This “smart screen time” transforms passive viewing into an active speech practice session, supporting progress between therapy appointments.

Fluency Disorders: The Flow of Speech

Fluency refers to the smoothness and rhythm of speech. A fluency disorder is characterized by interruptions in the flow of speech, which can manifest as repetitions, prolongations, or blocks.

• Stuttering: This is the most common type of fluency disorder. It involves:
  • Repetitions: Repeating sounds, syllables, or words (e.g., “b-b-ball,” “I-I-I want”).
  • Prolongations: Stretching out a sound (e.g., “ssssnake”).
  • Blocks: An inability to get a sound out, often accompanied by physical tension.
  • Associated Behaviors: Eye blinking, head jerks, or visible tension in the face or body can occur as the child tries to push the words out.
  • Emotional Impact: Children who stutter may experience frustration, anxiety, and embarrassment about their speech, especially in social situations.
• Cluttering: Less commonly known than stuttering, cluttering involves speech that is rapid, irregular, and appears “mushed together.” A person who clutters may:
  • Speak very quickly.
  • Merge words or cut off parts of words.
  • Have difficulty organizing their thoughts, leading to disorganized speech.
  • Often be unaware of their disfluencies.
• When to Be Concerned: It’s common for young children (ages 2-5) to have periods of “normal disfluency” as they develop language. However, if disfluencies persist, involve significant effort, tension, or fear, or if they worsen with age, professional assessment is recommended.

For a parent whose child exhibits moments of stuttering, especially when excited or trying to articulate complex ideas, Speech Blubs can help foster a love for communication in a low-pressure environment. Our engaging activities focus on clear articulation and gradual speech pacing without drawing negative attention to disfluencies. By practicing new words and sounds in a fun, positive context, children can build confidence and reduce communication frustration. Our focus is always on building foundational skills and creating joyful family learning moments, which are crucial for children with fluency challenges.

Voice Disorders

Voice disorders occur when there is a problem with the pitch, volume, or quality of the voice. These issues can make speech sound hoarse, breathy, nasal, or unusually loud or soft.

• What They Are: Voice disorders stem from issues with how air passes from the lungs through the vocal cords and then through the throat, nose, mouth, and lips. The voice may sound abnormal in terms of its quality (e.g., hoarse, breathy, strained), pitch (too high or too low for their age/gender), or loudness (too loud or too soft).
• Causes:
  • Vocal Abuse: Yelling, screaming, excessive coughing, or constantly clearing the throat can lead to vocal cord nodules (small bumps).
  • Structural Issues: Conditions like laryngeal webs or cleft palate can impact voice resonance.
  • Neurological Conditions: Conditions that affect the nerves controlling vocal cord muscles.
  • Medical Conditions: Acid reflux (GERD) or other illnesses can also affect vocal quality.
• Signs to Watch For:
  • Persistent hoarseness or raspiness.
  • Voice changes that last for more than a few weeks.
  • Pitch breaks or an unusually high/low pitch.
  • Voice being too loud or too soft, without control.
  • Speech sounding “nasal” (hypernasality) or “stuffy” (hyponasality).

If you notice persistent changes in your child’s voice, a visit to an ear, nose, and throat (ENT) doctor is crucial, followed by a Speech-Language Pathologist if recommended. Speech Blubs, while not directly addressing the physical mechanisms of voice disorders, supports overall speech production and confidence, which can be complementary to voice therapy by promoting positive communication habits.

Orofacial Myofunctional Disorders (OMDs)

Orofacial myofunctional disorders (OMDs) involve abnormal movements or positioning of the tongue, lips, and jaw during rest, swallowing, or speech. The most common OMD is a tongue thrust, where the tongue pushes too far forward during swallowing or speech.

• What They Are: OMDs affect how your face, mouth, and tongue muscles are used. These muscle patterns can interfere with normal dental development, swallowing, and speech sound production.
• Impact on Speech Sounds: OMDs can particularly affect sounds that require precise tongue placement, such as “s,” “z,” “sh,” “ch,” “j,” and “t,” “d,” “n,” “l.” For example, a child with a tongue thrust might produce an “s” sound with their tongue pushing between their front teeth.
• Other Signs: Mouth breathing, difficulty chewing or swallowing, or an open-mouth posture at rest can also indicate an OMD.

Addressing OMDs often involves a collaborative approach between an SLP, orthodontist, and sometimes an ENT. Speech Blubs supports sound production practice, reinforcing correct tongue placement for sounds affected by OMDs, in conjunction with specialized myofunctional therapy.

Why Do Speech Disorders Occur? Exploring the Causes

Speech disorders can stem from a variety of factors, sometimes working in combination. Understanding these potential causes can help guide diagnosis and intervention.

• Genetic Factors: Many speech disorders, including articulation and phonological difficulties, can run in families, suggesting a genetic predisposition.
• Neurological Conditions: Damage or differences in brain development can impact the neurological control of speech muscles. Examples include cerebral palsy, developmental dysarthria, or childhood apraxia of speech.
• Structural Abnormalities: Physical differences in the mouth or throat structures can hinder speech production. These might include:
  • Cleft Lip or Palate: A birth defect where the lip or roof of the mouth doesn’t fully form.
  • Dental Issues: Misaligned teeth or an open bite can affect sound production.
  • Tongue Tie (Ankyloglossia): A short or tight band of tissue tethering the tongue to the floor of the mouth, restricting its movement.
• Hearing Loss: Intact hearing is crucial for speech development. Children learn to speak by listening to and imitating the sounds around them. Even mild or fluctuating hearing loss (e.g., due to chronic ear infections) can significantly impact a child’s ability to hear and produce speech sounds correctly. Early hearing screening is vital.
• Developmental Delays: Speech development is intertwined with overall development. Children with global developmental delays or intellectual disabilities may also experience delays or difficulties in speech acquisition.
• Environmental Factors: While less direct, factors like prolonged pacifier use or thumb-sucking can sometimes influence oral motor development and speech sound production.

It’s important to remember that for many children, the exact cause of a speech disorder may not be definitively identified. However, regardless of the cause, early and appropriate intervention remains key to supporting their communication development.

Identifying a Speech Disorder: Signs and Symptoms to Watch For

As a parent, you are your child’s first and most important observer. Being aware of key developmental milestones can help you identify potential concerns.

• Age-Specific Milestones:
  • By 12 months: Babbling with many different sounds; using gestures; responding to their name.
  • By 18 months: Saying several single words; imitating words; pointing to show what they want.
  • By 24 months: Using 2-word phrases; having a vocabulary of around 50 words; being understood by familiar adults about 50% of the time.
  • By 3 years: Using 3-4 word sentences; being understood by familiar adults 75% of the time; producing most vowel sounds and early consonants (p, b, m, n, t, d, k, g, f, h, w).
  • By 4 years: Speech is mostly intelligible to unfamiliar listeners; using more complex sentences.
• Difficulty Being Understood: This is one of the most common signs. If your child’s speech is consistently unclear to others, or if you, as a parent, struggle to understand them, it’s a significant indicator.
• Frustration During Communication: A child who knows what they want to say but can’t produce the sounds clearly may become frustrated, withdrawn, or exhibit behavioral challenges related to their inability to communicate effectively.
• Social Withdrawal: Difficulty communicating can make social interactions challenging, leading a child to avoid speaking or playing with others.
• Unusual Voice Quality: Persistent hoarseness, breathiness, or an overly nasal voice should be noted.
• Obvious Struggle with Speech: Visible tension, grimacing, or repetitive attempts to get words out (as seen in stuttering).

If you notice any of these signs, don’t hesitate to seek professional advice. Our quick 3-minute preliminary screener can offer immediate insights into your child’s communication development, providing an assessment and next-steps plan, and can grant you a free 7-day trial of Speech Blubs.

The Diagnostic Process: What to Expect

If you have concerns about your child’s speech, initiating the diagnostic process can feel daunting, but it’s a proactive step towards support.

• Initial Concerns and Pediatrician Visit: Your first point of contact is typically your pediatrician. Share your observations and concerns. They can provide an initial assessment and rule out any underlying medical issues.
• Referral to a Speech-Language Pathologist (SLP): If a speech delay or disorder is suspected, your pediatrician will likely recommend a referral to an SLP. These professionals are trained to diagnose and treat communication disorders.
• Assessment Tools: An SLP will conduct a comprehensive evaluation, which may include:
  • Case History: Gathering information about your child’s developmental milestones, medical history, and family communication patterns.
  • Observation: Observing your child’s speech in various contexts (play, conversation).
  • Formal and Informal Assessments: Using standardized tests (like the Goldman-Fristoe Test of Articulation 3) to assess speech sound production, fluency, and voice. They’ll also check oral motor skills (e.g., tongue and lip movement).
  • Hearing Screening: Often, a hearing test is recommended to rule out hearing loss as a contributing factor.
• Importance of Early Intervention: Early diagnosis and intervention are critical. Research consistently shows that the sooner a child receives support for a speech disorder, the better their long-term outcomes. Early intervention can prevent secondary problems like academic difficulties or social-emotional challenges.

Supporting Your Child: Interventions and Strategies

Once a speech disorder is identified, a range of interventions and strategies can help your child improve their communication skills.

The Role of Speech Therapy (SLP-Led)

Professional speech therapy is often the cornerstone of intervention for speech disorders. An SLP will create an individualized treatment plan tailored to your child’s specific needs and the type of disorder. Therapy typically involves:

• Targeted Exercises: Activities designed to improve sound production, breath control, vocal quality, or speech fluency.
• Motor Planning Practice: For conditions like CAS, therapy will focus on repeated practice of speech movements.
• Parental Guidance: SLPs empower parents with strategies and activities to practice at home, extending the benefits of therapy.

Parental Involvement: Creating a Supportive Home Environment

Parents are crucial partners in their child’s speech development. A supportive home environment can significantly enhance progress:

• Patience and Active Listening: Listen patiently to your child, making eye contact and showing love and acceptance. Avoid interrupting or finishing their sentences.
• Dedicated Talk Time: Set aside specific times for talking, reading, and playing together. Engage in activities that encourage conversation and sound imitation.
• Model Correct Speech: Speak clearly and at a moderate pace. Instead of correcting errors directly, model the correct production of a word or sound (e.g., if your child says “wabbit,” you can say, “Yes, a rabbit!”).
• Avoid Pressure: Don’t put too much pressure on your child to speak perfectly, especially for fluency disorders. This can increase anxiety and worsen the problem. Focus on communication, not just articulation.
• Celebrate Small Wins: Acknowledge and praise your child’s efforts and improvements, no matter how small.

Smart Screen Time with Speech Blubs: A Powerful Supplement

At Speech Blubs, we understand that professional therapy is invaluable, and we aim to provide a powerful supplement that transforms screen time into an active, educational, and joyful learning experience. Our mission is to empower children to “speak their minds and hearts,” and our app was created by founders who personally understood the need for an immediate, effective, and joyful solution for the 1 in 4 children who need speech support. We blend scientific principles with play, offering one-of-a-kind “smart screen time” experiences. We are a screen-free alternative to passive viewing (like cartoons) and a powerful tool for family connection.

Our unique video modeling methodology is at the heart of our approach. Children learn by watching and imitating their peers, a method proven to be highly effective. This fosters a love for communication, builds confidence, reduces frustration, develops key foundational skills, and creates joyful family learning moments.

Let’s look at some relatable scenarios where Speech Blubs can make a real difference:

• Scenario 1: Targeting Specific Sounds For a parent whose 3-year-old struggles with pronouncing the ‘s’ sound, often making it sound like a ‘th’, our “Animals” section offers a fun, motivating way to practice. Your child can watch videos of other children saying “snake” or “seal,” clearly articulating the ‘s’ sound, and then immediately imitate them. This visual and auditory feedback helps them understand and replicate the correct mouth movements.
• Scenario 2: Expanding Vocabulary and Expressive Language If your late-talking toddler needs to build their vocabulary and ability to express actions, our “What Am I Doing?” section is perfect. Here, children act out various verbs like “jumping” or “sleeping.” This encourages not only the production of associated sounds and words but also links action to language, improving expressive communication skills.
• Scenario 3: Building Confidence and Reducing Communication Anxiety A child exhibiting initial signs of disfluency, such as repeating sounds when excited, benefits from a supportive and non-pressured environment. Speech Blubs offers engaging activities that encourage clear, deliberate speech in a playful manner. By focusing on the fun of communication and practicing new words, children can build confidence and reduce anxiety about speaking, shifting their focus away from the disfluencies.
• Scenario 4: Guidance for Unsure Parents If you’re a parent who’s just starting to notice concerns and isn’t sure if your child needs professional support, our quick 3-minute preliminary screener is an excellent starting point. It provides a simple assessment and outlines potential next steps, and signing up through it gives you a free 7-day trial of Speech Blubs, so you can see the app’s benefits firsthand.

Speech Blubs is available to download on the App Store and Google Play, providing an accessible tool to support your child’s journey to clearer speech.

Choosing Speech Blubs: Value and Our Commitment

At Speech Blubs, we are more than just an app; we are a dedicated partner in your child’s communication journey. Our commitment stems from a deep personal understanding of speech challenges and a passion for creating effective, joyful solutions. We pride ourselves on our scientific methodology, which has earned us a high MARS scale rating, placing us in the top tier of speech apps worldwide. You can explore the research behind our methods to understand why our video modeling is so effective. Don’t just take our word for it; see what other parents are saying about their children’s success with Speech Blubs.

We believe in transparency and value, which is why we offer clear pricing options designed to fit your family’s needs while providing the most comprehensive support possible.

Our plans are:

• Monthly Plan: For $14.99 per month.
  • This plan offers access to the core Speech Blubs app but does not include a free trial, the Reading Blubs app, or early access to new updates. Support response time is standard.
• Yearly Plan: For just $59.99 per year.
  • This plan breaks down to an incredible value of only $4.99 per month, allowing you to save 66% compared to the monthly option.
  • The Yearly plan is our most popular and recommended choice because it unlocks the full suite of benefits, including:
    • A generous 7-day free trial to experience everything Speech Blubs has to offer before committing.
    • Access to the extra Reading Blubs app, further supporting your child’s literacy development.
    • Early access to new updates and features, ensuring your child always has the latest tools.
    • 24-hour support response time, for any questions or assistance you might need.

We strongly encourage you to choose the Yearly plan. It’s not only significantly more affordable in the long run but also provides a risk-free 7-day free trial and unlocks exclusive features like the Reading Blubs app, giving your child the most comprehensive support for their communication journey. It’s the best way to embrace “smart screen time” and empower your child to speak their minds and hearts.

Conclusion

Navigating the world of speech disorders in children can feel complex, but understanding the different types—from articulation and phonological disorders to apraxia, fluency issues, and voice challenges—is the crucial first step. Early recognition of signs and symptoms, followed by a professional diagnosis, paves the way for effective intervention. Remember, you are your child’s greatest advocate, and creating a supportive, patient home environment complements any formal therapy beautifully.

We at Speech Blubs are here to walk alongside you, transforming screen time into a powerful, engaging, and scientifically-backed tool. Our mission is to ensure every child has the opportunity to speak their minds and hearts with confidence and joy. By leveraging our unique video modeling methodology, we help children develop essential speech skills through fun, interactive play.

Ready to see the difference Speech Blubs can make for your child? Create your account and begin your 7-day free trial today! Remember to select the Yearly plan to unlock your free trial, gain access to the Reading Blubs app, and enjoy all our exclusive features for the best value. Give your child the gift of clear, confident communication—download Speech Blubs now and start your journey with us!

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

1. What’s the main difference between a speech disorder and a language disorder?

A speech disorder primarily affects how a child says sounds and words (e.g., clarity, fluency, voice), whereas a language disorder affects what they say or understand (e.g., vocabulary, grammar, expressing ideas). A child can have one, the other, or both.

2. When should I be concerned about my child’s speech development?

It’s always wise to consult your pediatrician or a Speech-Language Pathologist (SLP) if you have any concerns. Key indicators include if your child isn’t babbling by 12 months, isn’t using single words by 18 months, isn’t combining words by 24 months, or if their speech is consistently difficult to understand by familiar adults after age three. Our preliminary screener can also help you assess your child’s development.

3. Can speech disorders be outgrown without intervention?

While some very mild speech difficulties may resolve on their own, especially in younger children, persistent speech disorders often benefit significantly from intervention. Early treatment is linked to better outcomes and can prevent further frustration or academic challenges. It’s always best to seek professional advice rather than wait and see.

4. How does Speech Blubs help with speech disorders?

Speech Blubs uses a unique “video modeling” methodology where children watch and imitate their peers in fun, interactive activities. This approach helps with sound production, vocabulary building, articulation practice, and overall communication confidence. It’s a powerful tool for consistent practice at home, supplementing professional therapy, and engaging children in “smart screen time” that focuses on active learning.