Talk to me about speech articulation delay

[Anonymous]

My DD just turned 3. She has been recommended by her PS teacher for a speech evaluation because she is hard to understand. We have an apt. with a private speech therapist later in the month. I have an older daughter and we have always noticed the difference in their speech skills but chalked it up to them being two different kids (in so many ways). Anyway, my 3 yo DD is hard for others to understand but we always thought it was something she would grow out of. She does not seem to have a receptive language delay. Can someone help me understand what else a speech articulation delay might indicate? Is it something that can improve rapidly?

[Anonymous]

Children with low muscle tone often have articulation disorders but since you did not say she had hypotonia that is probably not the issue. Children with dyspraxia/ apraxia also have articulation errors due to motor planning difficulties. Then there are just children who have articulation issues for no apparent reason.

Speech therapy for articulation can be particularly effective as the therapist will drill the sounds the errors are occuring on.
Are there particular sounds your child consistently makes errors on? You can google a chart that delineates the age of mastery for each sound. That is helpful in figuring what sounds she definitely should have and where she is falling behind.
Good luck

[Anonymous]

My DS had articulation delays due to lack of muscle development in the mid level of his mouth. It was easily treated with speech therapy, which involved a combination of strengthening exercises and practicing with words.

[Anonymous]

Another perspective. My DD had an articulation delay due to thick fluid in her ears. Once we got that taken care of and went through the county EI for svs, she speaks so much better (now that she can actually hear us correctly). She was passed out at age 3 (started at just over 2), but still has some speech impediment issues that will need to be taken care of later--and we will go for private therapy when she is mature enough to be compliant (I was told about age 5).

[Anonymous]

Child #1 had what they called an "articulation disorder." Pediatrician began highlighting issue at 15 months. At three years referred us for a speech/language evaluation because 50% of speech was not understandable to a stranger. Six months of intense speech therapy (at Children's) worked wonders. Child #2 showed us how a three-year-old can talk and we realized the extent of #1 "articulation disorder." Child #3 came along with same symptoms and likewise received and responded to speech therapy beginning at 3-years-old. A year later #3 was diagnosed with a connective tissue disorder and #1 was subsequently diagnosed as well. Poor muscle tone was one of the most obvious symptoms of the connective tissue disorder --- mystery solved! In hindsight, the speech therapy strengthened the weak articulator muscles which took care of the "articulation disorder." Swimming and Pilates take care of strengthening the other muscles.

[Anonymous]

My son also had an articulation delay and has hypotonia. We too went to Children's for about 9 months - saw Sheila Skinner, who is fabulous. You won't get anywhere through the county if your child just has an articulation delay - at least not in Arlington. They have limited resources and will only treat apraxia etc.