Speech Intelligibility
Talking and being understood is a big part of growing up! Some children need extra support to produce clear, age-appropriate speech sounds and communicate with confidence. We collaborate with families to make speech practice fun, practical, and part of everyday routines.
We support children who may be experiencing:
Articulation Difficulties
Children who struggle to pronounce specific sounds correctly.
For example, using T for K, such as in ‘tar’ for' ‘car’
For example, interdental and lateral lisps (i.e., an unclear S sound)
Phonological Processes/Patterns
Children who use predictable patterns of speech simplification, often referred to as a ‘family of phonological processes’.
These are common in early speech development but may persist beyond the expected age.
For example, Gliding is a phonological process that results in the R and L sound being said with a Y or W sound, such as in ‘wabbit’ for ‘rabbit’ and ‘yion’ for ‘lion’.
Speech Sound Disorders
Children who experience more complex speech sound difficulties, including challenges with vowel digraphs or inconsistent speech patterns.
For example, difficulties in distinguishing and producing vowel combinations like ‘ai’ in ‘rain’ or ‘ea’ in ‘bread’
This category also includes Childhood Apraxia of Speech, where children have difficulty planning and coordinating the movements needed for speech.
