Speech Sound Difficulties

Including Childhood Apraxia of Speech and Phonological Disorders

Childhood Apraxia of Speech

(formerly Developmental Verbal Dyspraxia)

Children with Childhood Apraxia of Speech have difficulty planning and sequencing the movements needed for speech.

Speech may be:

• very unclear

• limited in sound range

• inconsistent

• effortful

Therapy is highly structured and carefully targeted, focusing on:

• motor planning

• accuracy

• consistency

Phonological Speech Sound Difficulties

Children with phonological difficulties have challenges organising and using the sound system of the language.

Errors often affect groups of sounds and can have a noticeable impact on how clearly a child is understood.

Therapy focuses on:

• identifying patterns in a child’s speech

• supporting gradual reorganisation of the sound system

Lisps (Frontal/Dental and Lateral)

Lisps involve differences in tongue placement or airflow when producing certain sounds.

This may include:

• the tongue placed too far forward (frontal or dental lisps)

• airflow directed along the sides of the tongue (lateral lisps)

Lisps often require precise, targeted work to establish consistent sound production.

Language Development and Learning

Language difficulties may affect how a child understands language, expresses themselves, or uses language in everyday situations.

This may include:

• delayed language development

• language disorder

• difficulties with grammar

• reduced vocabulary

• difficulty expressing ideas clearly

Phonological Awareness and Literacy

Some children find learning to read and write difficult because of underlying sound processing difficulties.

This can affect:

• sound awareness

• segmenting and blending

• sound sequencing

These difficulties are often linked to speech sound difficulties.

Social Communication and Confidence

Some children find it difficult to use language effectively in social situations.

This may include:

• understanding social expectations

• using language flexibly

• participating in group situations

This can also include children who experience selective mutism or anxiety-related communication difficulties.

Dysfluency (Stammering / Stuttering)

Dysfluency affects the flow of speech.

Early support, particularly for younger children, can be highly effective.

Supporting Communication (Including AAC)

Some children benefit from additional ways to support communication while their speech and language skills are developing.

This may include:

• gesture

• visual supports

• signing

• simple AAC systems

(Final note)

Every child is different, and these descriptions are only a guide.