Speech Disorders in Children: Causes, Symptoms, and Effective Support
Strategies
Speech disorders are common among individuals, particularly children,
and their prevalence varies from one community to another. As a parent, you may
find yourself wondering: Is my child experiencing a delay in speech or language
development? Is their communication level appropriate for their age?
In this article, we will explore speech, its disorders, and speech
delays in children, along with practical guidance for parents.
How Common Are Speech Disorders?
Speech disorders affect approximately 10–15% of preschool-aged children
and about 6% of students in primary and secondary school. These figures
highlight just how widespread speech difficulties are in society.
What Is Communication and What Is Language?
Communication is the process of exchanging information between people —
a vital tool for personal, social, and human interaction. It can be verbal or
non-verbal.
Verbal communication uses language, a system of symbols and sounds with
agreed-upon meanings within a shared culture or environment. Language can be
spoken or written, and it has three main forms:
Spoken language – conveyed through sounds
Written language – conveyed through letters and words
Silent language – conveyed through gestures, signs, and drawings
Speech is not produced by the mouth and tongue alone; it involves
multiple organs that make up the speech apparatus, including:
Diaphragm
Respiratory system (lungs and airways)
Larynx, vocal cords, and surrounding muscles
Uvula
Nasal and oral cavities, with the hard and soft palate
Tongue, jaws, lips, and teeth
Developmental Milestones for Speech and Motor Skills
While each child develops at their own pace, the following is a general
guide:
12 weeks – Smiles in response to voices, coos, lifts head when lying on stomach
16 weeks – Turns toward
speakers, plays with toys when held
20 weeks – Produces consonant-like
sounds, sits with support
6 months – Babbles in syllables,
reaches for objects
8 months – Repeats syllables, stands
with support, picks up objects with thumb and forefinger
10 months – Recognizes some words,
crawls, cruises along furniture
12 months – Understands simple
words, says “mama” and “dada,” walks with help, sits independently
18 months – Says 3–5 single words,
climbs stairs crawling
24 months – Uses two-word phrases,
runs, climbs stairs without crawling
30 months – Forms 3–5 word
sentences, stands on one foot for 2 seconds, walks on tiptoes
3 years – Clear speech (~1,000
words), pedals a tricycle
4 years – Speaks clearly, can jump
rope
What Are Speech Disorders?
Speech disorders are difficulties in producing sounds and words, which
may appear as:
Omission – leaving out sounds (e.g., “ca” instead of “cat”)
Addition – inserting extra sounds (e.g., “balue” instead of
“blue”)
Substitution – replacing one sound with another (e.g., “wabbit” instead
of “rabbit”)
Distortion – producing sounds in an unusual or unclear way.
Causes of Speech Disorders
- Speech disorders may result from genetic, environmental, or medical factors, including:
- Impaired hearing or vision
- Birth injuries or complications
- Neurological or speech organ disorders
- Intellectual disabilities
- Family’s educational and cultural background
- Socialization patterns
- Psychological factors, fears, or emotional deprivation
- Brain injury from stroke or trauma
- Muscle weakness
- Vocal cord damage
- Degenerative diseases (e.g., Huntington’s, Parkinson’s, ALS)
- Dementia
- Oral or throat cancer
- Autism spectrum disorder
- Down syndrome
Psychological Impact on the Child
- Children with speech disorders are often subject to teasing or criticism, which can lead to:
- Low self-esteem
- Social withdrawal and isolation
- Difficulty making friends
- Reluctance to cooperate or take responsibility
- Shyness, hesitation, and avoidance of competition
Treatment Approaches
Physiological or Surgical Treatment
Addresses underlying physical causes such as enlarged adenoids,
tonsillitis, cleft palate, or hearing/vision impairments, using medication,
surgery, or assistive devices.
Psychological Therapy
Aims to reduce anxiety, build comfort in speaking, and use structured
exercises to improve speech in a calm, supportive environment.
Speech Therapy
- Conducted by specialists and may include:
- Tongue, lip, and palate exercises
- Blowing exercises using tubes
- Mirror work to observe mouth movements
- Chewing and swallowing exercises
- Breathing exercises (inhaling through the nose, exhaling through the mouth)
- Practicing sounds and their points of articulation
- Relaxed speech techniques using cue cards
- Relearning words and sounds through repetition
- Rhythmic speech with clapping, foot tapping, or arm movements
- “Chewed speech” method — starting with silent chewing, then adding sounds, then words
- Group reading or singing to reduce self-consciousness
Breathing Training
Focuses on expanding the chest, strengthening vocal cord muscles, and
controlling breath for speech.
Practical Tips for Parents
If your child has a speech disorder, you can help by:
Talking with them regularly to build vocabulary
Reading daily and pointing to words
Describing objects and actions during play
Discussing signs and labels in public places
Using the language(s) you are most comfortable with
Listening attentively and answering their questions
Encouraging curiosity and questions
Allowing time to respond without rushing
Expanding their sentences with more detail
Limiting screen time and replacing it with conversation and reading
Final Note
We cannot always solve our children’s challenges alone. Early
consultation with specialists — speech therapists, psychologists, or doctors —
can make a significant difference. The sooner we seek help, the easier it
becomes to address and reduce the impact of speech disorders.
Wishing you and your children a healthy, fulfilling life.
Maher Daboul
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