When your child is hard to understand, it can feel worrying and frustrating.
You may notice that your child is bright, expressive, and has a lot to say—but certain sounds don’t come out clearly. You might find yourself:
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Asking them to repeat themselves often
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Translating for them when others don’t understand
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Wondering if their speech is still “age-appropriate”
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Seeing them get frustrated when they are not understood
Speech sound errors are very common in children. In many cases, articulation therapy can help children become significantly clearer and more confident communicators.
What is articulation therapy?
Articulation therapy is a type of speech therapy that helps children learn how to correctly produce speech sounds.
A child with an articulation difficulty usually:
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Knows exactly what they want to say
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Understands language well
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But has difficulty physically producing certain speech sounds clearly
For example:
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“wabbit” instead of rabbit
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“wed” instead of red
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A distorted or “slushy” /S/ sound (lisp)
In therapy, we work on teaching the correct placement and movement of the tongue, lips, and breath so speech sounds become clearer and more consistent in everyday communication.
Speech sounds we commonly work on
Children may work on improving clarity with sounds such as:
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/R/ (rabbit, car, bird)
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/S/ and /Z/ (including lisps)
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/L/
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“TH” (think, this)
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“SH” and “CH”
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Overall speech clarity in conversation
Even one sound can make a big difference in how clearly a child is understood by others.
Why articulation matters
Clear speech affects more than pronunciation—it impacts confidence and communication in daily life.
When children are hard to understand, they may:
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Feel frustrated when others misunderstand them
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Become less likely to speak in groups or classrooms
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Avoid certain words or speaking situations
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Lose confidence in their communication abilities
The goal of therapy is not perfect speech—it is clear, confident communication in everyday life.
At what age should my child say certain sounds?
It's common for children to be unable to produce every sound in their language from birth. Typically, children acquire specific sounds at certain ages. To determine if your child is acquiring speech sounds within the appropriate timeframe, refer to the below chart.
What articulation therapy looks like
Articulation therapy is structured, supportive, and engaging. Each child’s plan is individualized based on their needs.
Sessions typically focus on:
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Teaching correct sound placement
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Practicing sounds in words and sentences
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Using structured activities and play to build engagement
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Practicing conversation-level speech for real-life use
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Supporting carryover so progress shows up outside of therapy
Sessions are designed to be motivating while still targeting real progress in speech clarity.
Is articulation therapy right for my child?
You may want to consider an evaluation if your child:
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Is difficult to understand compared to same-age peers
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Uses sound substitutions (like “w” for “r”)
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Has persistent speech sound errors beyond expected age ranges
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Becomes frustrated when speaking or being understood
If you are unsure, a speech-language evaluation can help clarify whether therapy is needed.
How I can help
I provide individualized articulation therapy for children in Skokie and surrounding North Shore communities, with both in-home and online options.
Each child receives:
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A personalized therapy plan based on their specific speech needs
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Engaging, child-centered sessions
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Strategies for parents to support progress at home
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A focus on functional, real-world communication
Get started
If you’re wondering whether your child’s speech sounds are on track, I’m happy to help you figure it out.
You can reach out to schedule a consultation to discuss your concerns and next steps.
Why Families Choose Speak with Stephanie
✓ Licensed speech-language pathologist
✓ 10+ years of experience
✓ Individualized 1:1 therapy
✓ In-home and online options
✓ Collaboration with parents and schools
✓ Warm, supportive approach
✓ Focus on real-life communication skills
What Happens Next?
FREE CONSULTATION
Talk with me about your concerns, ask questions, and determine whether an evaluation is the right next step.
COMPREHENSIVE EVALUATION
I'll assess your child's speech skills, explain the results, and create an individualized treatment plan if therapy is recommended.
PERSONALIZED SPEECH THERAPY
We'll work together through engaging, individualized sessions that help your child build clearer, more confident communication.
Articulation Therapy for Children FAQ
What age should children be able to say sounds correctly?
Different speech sounds develop at different ages. Some sounds like /p/, /b/, and /m/ develop early, while sounds like /r/, /s/, and “th” develop later. If errors continue beyond expected ages, therapy may be helpful.
How do I know if my child needs articulation therapy?
If your child is difficult to understand, substitutes sounds, or is frustrated when speaking, an evaluation can help determine whether therapy is needed.
What sounds are most commonly treated?
Common targets include /r/, /s/, /l/, “th,” “sh,” and “ch,” as well as overall speech clarity.
How long does articulation therapy take?
It depends on the number of sounds involved, the type of speech error, and how consistently skills are practiced outside of sessions. Some children progress quickly with one sound, while others take longer to generalize skills into conversation.
Will my child outgrow speech sound errors?
Some early speech errors resolve naturally, but persistent or later-developing errors often benefit from targeted therapy to improve clarity and confidence.
Does articulation therapy help with lisps and R sound difficulties?
Yes. Lisps and /r/ sound difficulties are very common and respond well to targeted articulation therapy with consistent practice.
Can an Articulation Disorder Impact my Child's Ability to Read or Write?
An articulation disorder can impact your child's ability to read and write. When a child struggles with correct pronunciation of certain sounds, it can make it difficult for them to recognize and produce those sounds in words, which is essential for reading and spelling. By addressing speech errors early on through the articulation therapy process, your child can practice and learn to produce sounds more accurately, supporting their overall language development and literacy skills.
Call or email me to schedule your free Speech consultation
In-home speech therapy for individuals
in Skokie, Wilmette, and surrounding Illinois areas