Is It Normal? When to Worry About Your Child’s Speech Sounds
As a parent, it’s natural to keep a close ear on how your child speaks. You might catch a cute “wabbit” instead of “rabbit,” or hear “thun” for “sun,” and smile at their unique way of talking. But somewhere along the way, you might start wondering: Is this still normal—or should I be concerned?
This article breaks down what’s typical, what’s not, and how to know when it’s time to seek professional help for your child’s speech sounds.
What Are Speech Sounds?
Speech sounds, also known as articulation, are the individual sounds we combine to form words—like /s/, /r/, /k/, and /th/. Developing clear speech is a process that unfolds gradually over early childhood. Most children don’t start out pronouncing every sound perfectly, and that’s okay.
But if certain sound errors stick around too long—or if speech is consistently hard to understand—there may be an underlying issue that needs support.
What’s Considered Normal?
Many sound substitutions or mispronunciations are developmentally appropriate, especially in toddlers and preschoolers. These are called phonological processes—patterns of sound errors that are typical as children learn to talk.
Here are a few common examples that are normal at certain ages:
| Phonological Process | Example | Typical Age of Disappearance |
|---|---|---|
| Final Consonant Deletion | “ca” for “cat” | 3 years |
| Fronting | “tat” for “cat” | 3.5 years |
| Cluster Reduction | “pane” for “plane” | 4 years |
| Gliding | “wabbit” for “rabbit” | 6 years |
| Stopping | “tun” for “sun” | 3–5 years |
So if your 2-year-old says “gog” instead of “dog,” that’s likely age-appropriate. But if your 6-year-old still says “wabbit,” it’s time to look closer.
What’s Not Normal?
Here are some red flags that may signal a speech sound disorder:
1. Unclear Speech After Age 3
By age 3, a stranger should be able to understand at least 75% of what your child says. By age 4, that number should be close to 100%.
If even you, as a parent, frequently struggle to understand your child, this may be cause for concern.
2. Missing or Distorted Sounds Past Expected Ages
Some sounds take longer to develop, but they should appear within specific windows. If a child isn’t producing these by the expected age, evaluation is recommended:
| Sound | Expected Mastery |
|---|---|
| /p/, /b/, /m/, /h/, /w/ | By age 3 |
| /k/, /g/, /t/, /d/, /n/ | By age 4 |
| /f/, /v/, /y/ | By age 4–5 |
| /s/, /z/, /sh/, /ch/, /j/, /l/ | By age 6 |
| /r/, /th/ | By age 7–8 |
If your 7-year-old still says “wun” instead of “run” or “thwim” instead of “swim,” that’s a sign speech therapy may be needed.
3. Unusual Sound Patterns
Errors like backing (e.g., saying “gog” for “dog”) or initial consonant deletion (e.g., “at” for “cat”) are not considered typical at any age.
These patterns often indicate a more severe speech sound disorder, such as Childhood Apraxia of Speech (CAS) or a phonological disorder.
Speech Delay vs. Speech Disorder
It’s important to distinguish between a child who is just “late to the party” and one who has a more significant issue.
● A speech delay means your child is developing typically, just slower than peers. They follow the expected pattern, just on their own timeline.
● A speech disorder involves atypical patterns, inconsistent sound production, or difficulty coordinating the physical movements for speech.
If your child is 4 or older and their speech isn’t improving—or you notice unusual patterns—early intervention can make a huge difference.
What Causes Speech Sound Issues?
There’s no single cause, but common contributors include:
● Hearing loss (even temporary, like from chronic ear infections)
● Oral-motor weaknesses
● Neurological conditions (e.g., cerebral palsy, apraxia)
● Developmental delays or disorders (e.g., autism spectrum)
● No identifiable cause (many kids with articulation disorders are otherwise typically developing)
How a Speech-Language Pathologist (SLP) Can Help
A licensed SLP can assess your child’s speech sound development with a standardized evaluation. They’ll look at:
● How your child produces individual sounds
● How intelligible they are in conversation
● Whether errors are developmentally appropriate or not
● Oral-motor skills and coordination
From there, the SLP will create a personalized therapy plan, focusing on the specific sounds or patterns your child struggles with.
Treatment may include:
● Sound shaping and repetition
● Auditory discrimination (hearing the difference between correct and incorrect sounds)
● Visual, tactile, or movement cues
● Play-based and functional activities
And yes—speech therapy can be done entirely online and still be very effective, especially with early learners or school-aged kids.
When to Seek Help
Still unsure if it’s time to act? Here’s a quick checklist.
You should seek an evaluation if:
● Your child is 3+ and hard to understand
● Sound errors persist beyond typical ages
● Speech is frustrating your child or limiting social interaction
● You're noticing teasing or confidence issues related to speech
● Your child has a known diagnosis that affects communication (e.g., Down syndrome, autism)
You don’t need a doctor’s referral to get started—many speech therapists offer free consults or screenings.
What Happens If You Wait?
Many parents hope their child will “grow out of it.” Sometimes they do. But waiting too long can:
● Reinforce incorrect patterns
● Affect your child’s reading and spelling skills later on
● Lead to frustration, social anxiety, or teasing
● Require more intensive therapy later
Early support leads to faster progress. The earlier a child receives help, the easier it is to correct habits and set them up for long-term success.
Real Stories, Real Results
At Anywhere Speech & Language, we’ve worked with countless families just like yours. Parents often come to us unsure if their child’s speech is “normal.” After a quick screening and a few therapy sessions, many see noticeable improvements in just weeks.
We’ve helped toddlers find their first words, preschoolers prepare for kindergarten, and school-aged kids gain confidence to speak clearly in class. And we do it all 100% online, from the comfort of your home.
Final Thoughts: Trust Your Gut
You know your child best. If something doesn’t feel right, don’t wait. Getting support early can make all the difference in your child’s communication skills, self-esteem, and academic success.
Need Help Understanding Your Child’s Speech?
We’re here for you. At Anywhere Speech & Language, we offer:
● Free consultations
● Online speech therapy tailored to your child’s needs
● Licensed, experienced therapists ready to help
Call or text us at (541)-262-4649
Schedule your first session today