Children with articulation disorders have trouble with the motor functions required to make certain speech sounds. They can’t coordinate their lips, tongue, teeth, palate (roof of their mouth) and lungs to produce certain sounds. They may form distorted speech sounds or swap out sounds they can’t make. Articulation disorder examples include not forming the sound “th” and always using “f” instead. With phonological disorder, children can produce sounds correctly but have trouble putting sounds together correctly. For example, your child may be able to make the sound “d” on its own. But when your child tries to say a word that starts with “d,” they swap it out with a “g.” Articulation disorder is a common condition when your child can’t make specific sounds. For example, they may always replace “r” with “w” or “th” with “s.” The disorder isn’t related to any issues with their brain, mouth or hearing. A speech-language pathologist can diagnose the condition and help your child communicate clearly using speech therapy.
