Articulation & Speech Sound Disorders

Children develop sounds at different ages. Most children master all sounds by age 7-8. However, if your child's speech is hard to understand or they're frustrated, it's worth getting an evaluation regardless of age.

Some sound errors naturally correct as children develop. However, certain patterns (like the 'R' sound or lisps) often don't self-correct after a certain age. An evaluation can tell you whether to wait or start therapy.

We recommend 5-10 minutes of practice per day between sessions. We'll teach you exactly how to practice and provide fun activities that fit into your daily routine.

The 'R' sound is typically the most challenging, often not mastered until age 7-8. The 'S' and 'Z' sounds, 'L' sound, and 'TH' sounds are also commonly difficult. Our therapists use specialized techniques to teach these tricky sounds effectively.

The 'R' sound requires precise tongue positioning that's difficult for many children. Some children naturally develop it late, while others need therapy. If your child is 7+ and still struggling with 'R', speech therapy can help. We use visual feedback and specific exercises to teach correct placement.

Strangers typically understand about half of what a child says somewhere between ages 3 and 4, and about 90% between ages 5 and 7. If strangers struggle to understand your child at age 4, your child is often frustrated, or you notice patterns of sound substitutions, an evaluation can determine if therapy is needed.

Source: Hustad et al., JSLHR (2021)