Signs That Your Child Might Have a Speech Disorder

All children learn and develop at their own pace. All children learn and develop at their own pace. As parents we all have language goals for kids (this also applies to children who have special needs such as autism which causes their development to be different), this is incredibly important as children grow and develop inside and outside of the home from school time all the way to the playground. Though some children learn things a lot faster than others, they still might face difficulties in other aspects of life. It really depends on each child and the things that they’re exposed to. One area where parents may be concerned is speech.

There are a number of signs that point to a child having a speech disorder. It’s good to remember that while they may exhibit signs of a speech disorder, it doesn’t mean that it’ll affect them for the rest of their life. However, if you do notice speech-related issues, then helping them out doesn’t hurt.

So let’s take a look at some of the signs that your child may have a speech disorder.

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What is a speech disorder?

A speech disorder is usually classified as a condition that can affect one’s ability to make sounds and communicate properly. In many cases, this refers to difficulties in making certain sounds which are important when exchanging words. It can also refer to repetitions like stuttering, or difficulties with understanding and sticking to sentence structure when speaking.

In short, if your child is having trouble articulating themselves, then there’s a good chance that it could be related to a speech disorder. With that said, a speech disorder isn’t the end of the world and it can be treated with the correct therapy and training from trained specialists. Your child doesn't have to live with it–you can seek advice that can help them through it.

Does your child have a limited vocabulary?

This can be a little difficult to determine because children develop their speech abilities at different rates. Some children might have an easier time learning new words while others may struggle before a certain age.

However, a good indication is in the way your child speaks relative to their friends and peers at school. If you notice that they have a limited vocabulary, then it may be because they’re having trouble expressing themselves through speech.

Does your child find it difficult to pronounce certain words?

One of the most common types of speech disorders among children is articulation disorder. This is when your child finds it difficult to pronounce certain speech sounds. For example, they might leave out certain sounds or words in a sentence because they find it hard to process. They might also find it hard to clearly say certain words, or they might use sudden pitch increases or decreases on words which makes them sound a bit strange.

Since it’s a common speech disorder, you can often speak with a child speech therapy specialist for advice. This is one of the most popular ways to treat a speech disorder. Early intervention can be an excellent way to overcome these troubles, especially if parents play an important role in supporting their children.

Does your child find it hard to understand questions or answers?

Have you ever tried to ask your child something, only to get a mixed or uncertain response back? If this is the case, then it might be caused by a speech disorder. If they tend to stutter or repeat syllables, it could lead to unclear answers and difficulties when communicating. Having trouble in social communication can also be caused by speech-related problems. This can include a lack of understanding of social cues, difficulty maintaining contact, or finding it hard to come up with the right words to answer you.

Does your child get frustrated when speaking?

Frustration when speaking can be caused by a number of factors. For example, there might be emotional factors like anxiety or shyness, or they could have trouble with their social skills. However, there are cases where this frustration can be caused by articulation difficulties. Your child might understand how a certain word is supposed to sound, but they might have trouble replicating it. Others may poke fun at them for it, and it could be frustrating for your child to use certain words in normal conversation.

If you find this to be true for your child, then a speech therapist can do wonders to help out. They’ll help you diagnose if it’s related to a speech problem or if there are other factors affecting your child.

Dealing with these speech issues is a great way to start bonding with your child and learning about your responsibilities as a parent. We hope that these tips help you identify if your child has a speech disorder and would strongly recommend speaking with an expert if you think they do.