Speech Sound Therapy
Helping children speak more clearly and confidently
Whether your child is just starting to talk or is finding certain sounds difficult, speech sound difficulties can affect how well they are understood by family, friends and teachers.
At SLP Therapy & Me, we provide evidence-based, individualised speech therapy to help children develop clearer speech and greater confidence when communicating. Therapy is tailored to each child’s unique strengths, goals and stage of development, making learning engaging, practical and meaningful.
What are speech sound difficulties?
Speech sound difficulties occur when children have trouble producing speech sounds correctly or using speech sound patterns that are expected for their age. Some children may substitute one sound for another, leave sounds out of words or have speech that is difficult for others to understand.
While many speech errors are a normal part of development, some persist longer than expected or make it difficult for children to communicate effectively. An assessment can help determine whether your child’s speech is developing as expected and whether therapy may be beneficial.
Signs your child may benefit from speech therapy
You might notice that your child:
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is difficult for unfamiliar people to understand
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substitutes sounds (e.g. saying “tat” instead of “cat”)
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leaves sounds off the beginning or end of words
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struggles to say certain sounds such as /k/, /g/, /s/ or /r/
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becomes frustrated when others don’t understand them
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avoids talking or lacks confidence communicating
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is falling behind expected speech milestones
If you’re unsure whether your child’s speech is developing typically, an assessment can provide clarity and reassurance.
Common speech sound difficulties we support
Articulation Disorders
Children with articulation difficulties know which sound they want to say but have trouble producing it correctly. This may affect one or several speech sounds, such as /s/, /r/, /k/ or /l/.
Therapy focuses on teaching children how to accurately produce individual sounds before practising them in words, sentences and everyday conversation.
Phonological Speech Sound Disorders
Some children can produce individual speech sounds but have difficulty using them correctly within words. They may consistently simplify speech patterns, making their speech difficult to understand.
For example, a child may say “tar” instead of “car” or “poon” instead of “spoon.”
Speech therapy helps children learn the sound patterns used in English and develop clearer, more intelligible speech.
Speech Delay
Some children begin talking later than expected or develop speech sounds more slowly than their peers.
A speech assessment can determine whether a child’s speech development is following an expected pathway or whether additional support would be beneficial.
Early intervention can help children build strong communication skills before speech difficulties begin affecting learning or confidence.
Lisps
A lisp occurs when airflow is directed incorrectly while producing speech sounds, most commonly /s/ and /z/.
Some lisps are developmentally appropriate in younger children, while others may benefit from therapy if they persist beyond the expected age.
Treatment focuses on teaching correct tongue placement and practising accurate sound production in everyday communication.
What does a speech sound assessment involve?
A speech sound assessment is designed to understand how your child is producing speech sounds and whether their speech development is appropriate for their age.
During the assessment, we may:
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listen to your child’s speech during play and conversation
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assess speech sound production using standardised assessments
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evaluate speech intelligibility
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identify speech sound patterns
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discuss your child’s communication history and developmental milestones
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answer any questions you may have
Following the assessment, we'll explain the findings, discuss whether therapy is recommended and develop an individualised therapy plan if appropriate.
What does therapy involve?
Every child is different, so therapy is always tailored to their individual goals, interests and learning style.
Sessions are engaging, play-based and evidence-based, using activities that motivate children while helping them practise new speech skills.
Parents are an important part of the therapy process. You’ll receive practical strategies and activities to support your child’s progress between sessions, helping them build confidence and carry over new skills into everyday life.
Frequently Asked Questions
At what age should my child say all their speech sounds?
Speech sounds develop gradually throughout childhood, with some sounds mastered as early as two years and others not consistently until around seven years of age. If you’re unsure whether your child’s speech is developing typically, a speech assessment can provide guidance.
Will my child grow out of it?
Some speech errors are a normal part of development and resolve naturally. However, persistent speech difficulties or speech that is difficult to understand may benefit from early assessment and intervention. Identifying concerns early can help prevent later impacts on learning, literacy and confidence.
How long will my child need therapy?
Some speech errors are a normal part of development and resolve naturally. However, persistent speech difficulties or speech that is difficult to understand may benefit from early assessment and intervention. Identifying concerns early can help prevent later impacts on learning, literacy and confidence.
Can I help at home?
Absolutely. Parent involvement plays an important role in successful therapy. I’ll provide practical strategies and activities that fit naturally into everyday routines, making it easier to support your child’s speech development at home.