What Speech Pathologists Treat – Part 3: Speech Sounds

When your child is talking but their words are hard to understand, it can be a little worrying. You might find yourself asking, “Is this just baby talk, or is there something more going on?” As children grow, their speech becomes clearer, but if their words still sound jumbled or confusing, a speech pathologist can help.

What Are Speech Sounds?

Speech sounds are the building blocks of words. They include all the different sounds we make when we talk — like “b,” “m,” “s,” “t,” and many more. Children don’t learn all these sounds at once. Some come early, like “m” and “b,” while others, like “r” or “th,” may take longer.

It’s normal for toddlers to mix up or leave out sounds when they’re learning to talk. But if your child continues having trouble being understood as they get older, it might be a sign of a speech sound disorder.

What to Look For

Here are a few signs that your child might need help with their speech sounds:

• You or others have a hard time understanding them

• They leave out sounds (saying “ca” instead of “car”)

• They switch one sound for another (like “tat” for “cat” or “wabbit” for “rabbit”)

• They speak clearly sometimes, but not all the time

• They get frustrated when people don’t understand them

• Other children their age speak more clearly

By age 3, most children should be understood by familiar adults. By age 4, even people who don’t know your child well should understand most of what they say. If this isn’t the case, it’s a good idea to talk to a speech pathologist.

How Speech Pathologists Help

Speech pathologists are trained to figure out why your child is having trouble with certain sounds. Sometimes it’s just one or two sounds, and sometimes it’s a pattern of errors.

They use fun, play-based activities to teach your child how to say the correct sounds and use them in everyday conversation. The goal is to help your child speak clearly and confidently.

Therapy may involve practicing sounds in single words, short sentences, and even during games. With regular sessions and home practice, most children make great progress.

Support from Speech World Inc.

At Speech World Inc., we understand how important clear communication is for your child’s confidence and development. Our friendly team of certified speech-language pathologists works closely with families to support children with speech sound difficulties — always using fun, child-friendly approaches tailored to your child’s needs.

If you're concerned about your child’s speech clarity, we’re here to help. Contact us today to book an appointment or learn more about our services.