Pediatric Speech Therapy for Articulation Disorder
in Charlotte & Huntersville, NC
It’s expected for young children to have trouble making certain sounds as they learn to talk. After all, how endearing is it to hear your little one say, “I wuv you”? But if their speech clarity doesn’t improve with age, it may be a sign of an articulation disorder, which is highly treatable with speech therapy.
At Little Wonders Pediatric Therapy, our licensed speech therapists help your child speak more clearly and confidently by tailoring therapy to their specific goals, learning style, and developmental stage.
What Is an Articulation Disorder?
An articulation disorder occurs when a child has difficulty producing specific speech sounds correctly past age-related developmental milestones. They might substitute one sound for another (for example, saying “wuv” instead of “love”), distort sounds, or leave sounds out altogether.
These challenges can stem from a variety of factors, including:
- Developmental delays
- Hearing loss or difficulty distinguishing similar speech sounds
- Structural differences such as tongue tie or cleft palate
- Genetic conditions such as Down syndrome
A related diagnosis, called a phonological disorder, affects how children use sounds across many words. Instead of having trouble with just one sound, a child might drop the ends of words, for example saying “ca” instead of “cat” or “do” instead of “dog.” Speech therapy can help with both articulation and phonological disorders.
Signs of an Articulation Disorder in Children
Not every mispronounced word or speech stumble means your child has an articulation disorder. But if your child consistently experiences the following, you may want to have them evaluated by a speech therapist:
- Mispronouncing, leaving out, or replacing certain sounds, such as saying “wuv” instead of “love”
- Being misunderstood by teachers, peers, or family members
- Lisping or slurring words
- Feeling frustrated when others can’t understand them
- Avoiding speaking up in class or in social situations
- Missing expected speech milestones
How Speech Therapy Helps with Articulation Disorders
At Little Wonders Pediatric Therapy, we use play-based, evidence-based techniques to make therapy both fun and effective.
Therapy may include:
- Practicing specific sounds through games, stories, and conversations
- Using mirrors and picture cues to help your child see how their mouth, lips, and tongue move when making different sounds
- Using rhythm and repetition with songs and rhymes to make learning new sounds fun and memorable
- Offering gentle feedback and encouragement to help your child stay motivated
- Giving parents simple ways to practice new skills at home
Why Choose Little Wonders Pediatric Therapy
Since 2018, Little Wonders Pediatric Therapy has been helping children of all ages in the Charlotte and Huntersville areas build strong communication skills through compassionate, personalized care. Our speech therapists take time to understand each child’s goals, interests, and learning style, then create a treatment plan that fits their unique needs. We work closely with parents and caregivers to support progress at home, in school, and in the community. Our goal is to help every child communicate more clearly, connect with others, and grow in confidence as their skills develop.
Reach Out Today to Get Started
If you’re concerned about your child’s speech, call Little Wonders Pediatric Therapy, email us at info@littlewonderstherapy.com, or fill out our online form to schedule an evaluation. We look forward to helping your child develop clear, confident speech.