Common Speech Sound Disorders Explained Simply
If your child says “wabbit” instead of “rabbit” or skips sounds in words like “spaghetti,” it might be cute at first—but if it persists, it could point to a speech sound disorder. These are some of the most common reasons children (and sometimes adults) struggle to pronounce words clearly. The good news? With the right help, most people can make big improvements in how they speak.
In this post, we’ll break down the most common types of speech sound disorders, what causes them, signs to look for, and when it’s time to seek support.
What Are Speech Sound Disorders?
Speech sound disorders (SSDs) occur when someone has trouble producing speech sounds correctly or fluently. These disorders can affect a person’s ability to be understood, which can impact communication, confidence, academic success, and even social development.
There are four main types:
Articulation Disorders
Phonological Disorders
Childhood Apraxia of Speech
Dysarthria
Let’s walk through each one in plain language.
1. Articulation Disorders: When Sounds Are Tricky to Say
An articulation disorder means a person physically struggles to say certain sounds. It’s a motor issue—think of it like your mouth muscles not moving the right way to make the right sound.
Example:
● Saying “wabbit” for “rabbit”
● Saying “thun” for “sun”
● Leaving off sounds: “boo” instead of “blue”
Key Signs:
● Speech sounds immature for the person’s age
● Others often ask them to repeat themselves
● Only close family can understand them clearly
Who It Affects:
Mainly young children, but some older kids and adults may have lingering difficulties.
Why It Happens:
● Delayed development
● Weak or uncoordinated oral muscles
● Hearing issues
● Lack of exposure or practice
What Helps:
Speech therapy focuses on drills and practice to build correct sound production over time. Therapists often use games, visuals, and repetition to make it fun.
2. Phonological Disorders: When the Brain Simplifies Speech Patterns
This one’s tricky because it’s not about muscle movement—it’s about the way the brain organizes sounds. Kids with phonological disorders simplify speech in predictable patterns that are typical at younger ages—but continue when they should have outgrown them.
Example:
● Saying “gog” instead of “dog” (sound substitution)
● Dropping consonants: “uh” for “cup”
● Replacing harder sounds with easier ones: “tat” for “cat”
These are called phonological processes, and every child uses them early on—but when they stick around too long, they become a disorder.
Key Signs:
● Sound substitutions follow patterns (not just random errors)
● Speech is difficult to understand
● Mistakes happen across many different words
Who It Affects:
Most common in toddlers and preschoolers
What Helps:
Speech therapy uses awareness and contrast to help kids learn the difference between sounds and break old habits.
3. Childhood Apraxia of Speech (CAS): When the Brain Struggles to Plan Speech
Childhood Apraxia of Speech is a motor planning disorder. The child knows what they want to say, and the muscles can move, but the brain has trouble sending the correct signals to the mouth.
Example:
● Speech that’s inconsistent (says a word correctly once, then wrong the next time)
● Groping: the child looks like they’re trying hard to get the mouth to move right
● Monotone or unusual rhythm and stress in speech
Key Signs:
● Few or no words by age 2
● Trouble combining sounds
● Difficulty imitating speech
● Words get harder as they get longer
Who It Affects:
CAS is rare, but it requires intensive therapy when diagnosed.
What Helps:
● Frequent, one-on-one speech sessions
● Repetition, visual cues, and sound shaping
● Parental involvement and home practice
4. Dysarthria: When Weak Muscles Affect Speech
Dysarthria is caused by muscle weakness in the lips, tongue, vocal cords, or diaphragm. It’s often the result of a neurological condition, such as cerebral palsy, stroke, brain injury, or muscular dystrophy.
Example:
● Slurred or mumbled speech
● Talking too fast or too slow
● Speech that sounds hoarse, nasal, or robotic
Key Signs:
● Poor breath control
● Monotone voice
● Difficulty controlling pitch, volume, or clarity
Who It Affects:
It can affect both children and adults, often in connection with brain or nervous system injuries
What Helps:
● Breathing exercises
● Speech drills to strengthen muscles
● AAC (augmentative and alternative communication) tools, if needed
When to Be Concerned
Some speech slip-ups are perfectly normal at certain ages. But if you notice the following, it’s worth speaking to a speech-language pathologist (SLP):
● Your 2-year-old uses fewer than 50 words
● Your child’s speech is hard to understand by age 3
● Speech mistakes don’t improve over time
● Teachers or caregivers are struggling to understand them
● Frustration or withdrawal due to being misunderstood
Why Early Help Matters
Speech issues don’t always “fix themselves.” Left untreated, they can lead to:
● Reading and writing difficulties
● Lower academic performance
● Poor self-esteem and social challenges
● Career barriers in adulthood
The earlier you act, the better the outcome. Speech therapy is not just about sounds—it’s about giving a child the tools to express themselves, connect with others, and build confidence.
How Online Speech Therapy Can Help
At Anywhere Speech & Language, we provide personalized, online speech therapy for children, teens, and adults. Our licensed therapists work one-on-one to:
● Evaluate which type of speech sound disorder is present
● Create a custom treatment plan
● Use fun, engaging, and evidence-based techniques
● Track progress over time
Whether you’re dealing with a mild articulation issue or a complex neurological condition, our mission is to help you or your child speak clearly, confidently, and comfortably—anywhere.
Final Thoughts
Speech sound disorders are more common than many people realize—and they are highly treatable. If your child (or you!) struggles to speak clearly, you’re not alone, and you’re not stuck. Speech therapy can make a real, lasting difference.
Ready to get started?
Contact us today for a free consultation and take the first step toward clearer communication.