1. What are articulation difficulties?
They occur when a person has trouble producing certain sounds correctly (e.g., saying “wabbit” instead of “rabbit”).

2. Who benefits from therapy?
Children, teens, or adults whose speech is unclear or hard to understand.

3. How long does it take?
Progress varies -- many clients see changes in a few weeks to months, depending on goals and practice.

4. Is it "normal" to have speech sound problems?

It is quite common for children to have speech sound difficulties at some point while learning to talk. Many children naturally outgrow certain errors as their speech and motor skills develop. However, if speech sound problems persist beyond the typical age range for certain sounds, or if they make your child difficult to understand, it may be a sign that extra support is needed.

5. My child is 3 years old and doesn’t say sounds like “th” or “r” properly. Is this normal?
Yes! It’s completely normal for young children to have difficulty with sounds like “th” and “r”. These are considered later-developing sounds that often aren’t mastered until ages 6-7. At age 3, it’s typical for children to substitute or leave out these sounds. What’s most important is that your child’s speech is gradually becoming clearer and easier to understand over time. If you’re unsure, a speech-language assessment can help determine if your child’s speech sound development is on track.

6. My child is hard to understand. Does that mean they have an articulation delay?
Not necessarily. Many children go through stages where their speech sounds unclear as they learn to coordinate their tongue, lips, and jaw. If your child’s speech is hard for unfamiliar listeners to understand by age 3, a Speech-Language Pathologist can help determine if therapy would be helpful.

7. At what age should my child be saying all their sounds correctly?
Most children have mastered most speech sounds by around age 7 or 8. Earlier-developing sounds (like "p", "b", "m", "n", and "t") typically appear first, while sounds like "r", "th", and "l" take longer to develop.

8. What causes articulation difficulties?
There are many possible reasons — sometimes it’s simply part of a child’s developmental pattern. Other times, factors like frequent ear infections, tongue or lip ties, or motor planning difficulties can play a role. A Speech-Language Pathologist can identify what’s contributing to your child’s speech errors.

9. Can I do anything at home to help my child’s speech?
Absolutely! Your Speech-Language Pathologist can show you fun ways to model and practice target sounds during play or daily routines. Consistent, positive practice makes a big difference in helping children carry new sounds into everyday speech.

10. Is it too late to work on articulation if my child is in school?
Not at all. Speech therapy can be effective at any age. Older children and even adults can improve their pronunciation and clarity with targeted support and practice.

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