Speech and language problems in children

Children learn to make speech sounds over time. At 6 months, they may be able to make "b," "m," "d," and "n" sounds. It may take until they are 6 years old to make "r" and "l" sounds. But when a child can't make the sounds expected for their age, they may have a speech sound disorder.

Children with a speech sound disorder usually know what they want to say. But they have trouble moving their mouth, lips, and tongue correctly to make the sounds that become words. This makes it hard to understand what they are saying.

Children may show signs of speech and language problems at a young age. For example, there may be a delay if children don't:

• Babble by 9 months.
• Say their first words by 15 months.
• Use word combinations by age 2.
• Speak in complete sentences by age 3.

The doctor will do a physical exam and ask questions about your child's past health. The doctor will also ask about whether your child has reached speech milestones for their age. The doctor may refer your child to a speech-language pathologist (SLP).

Your doctor or SLP may suggest other tests to:

• Look for other conditions, such as hearing loss.
• Check how your child uses speech sounds to form words and sentences.
• Check how well your child is developing speech, language, and motor skills.
• Find out if your child is having other problems, such as behavior issues or trouble with sucking, chewing, or swallowing.

To test your child's speech, the SLP will listen to and watch your child talk. The SLP will ask your child to say certain sounds, words, and sentences.

A child's speech can often improve with treatment such as speech therapy. To help your child speak better, the speech-language pathologist (SLP) may:

• Help your child learn to make the right speech sounds and combination of sounds. The SLP does this by correcting certain movements of your child's mouth and tongue. This can make your child's speech more clear.
• Help your child to learn when sounds are right or wrong so they can correct themselves.

Treatment works best when problems are caught early. Your child's health care team will help you decide on the best schedule for treatment.

The SLP may suggest that your child practice every day between treatment sessions. If so, the SLP will teach you how to help your child do this at home.

• Talk, play, sing, or read together. These activities help your child's brain develop. Make reading a part of your child's daily routine.
• Ask your child to point to familiar items and make the sounds that go with them.
• Teach your child the names for toys and other common objects.
• Speak slowly and clearly with your child.
• Involve your child in conversations. Gently encourage your child to talk to others.
• Don't imitate your child's unclear speech or constantly correct your child. You can help your child more if you rephrase, repeat, and teach the names of things in a positive way.
• Make sure your child goes to all appointments with the speech therapist.