Understanding Speech Error Types in Children

Every child learns to talk at their own pace, but some speech patterns can affect how clearly your child is understood and how confident they feel communicating. This page explains common types of speech errors in children.

If you have any concerns about your child's speech Speech Pathology Australia recommends discussing your concerns with a speech pathologist.  Assessment of speech can determine which sound patterns are typically expected at your child's age and provide intervention to support development.

The following two guides show typical speech and language milestones:

• Communication milestones | Don't wait and See | Speech Pathology Australia
• Milestones of speech and language | Aussie Deaf Kids 

Many children make speech errors as they learn sounds, but some patterns go beyond typical development. The term speech sound disorder (SSD) refers to ongoing difficulty producing speech sounds in a way that affects understanding.

Articulation Difficulties

These occur when a child knows the sound they want to say but has trouble forming it clearly. Common examples include:

• Lisps (for example, /s/ or /z/ sounds like “th”, or sound a bit slushy)
• Distorted consonants (like unclear /r/ or /l/)

Articulation issues relate to how the tongue, lips, and airflow are used to make a sound.

Phonological Difficulties

These are patterns where a child simplifies or substitutes sounds because their internal “rules” for sound use are still developing. Examples include:

• Saying “teep” for “keep”
• Dropping final consonants in words (e.g., “ca” for “cat”)

This is not about muscle ability, but about learning the sound system of speech.

Typical vs Ongoing Speech Patterns

Some speech errors are expected at certain ages. For example, many children still find /r/ and /th/ sounds tricky until school age. See milestones to help guide what to expect at different ages. 

For more information:  Speech Problems – Articulation and Phonological Disorders | Royal Children's Hospital Melbourne 

These occur when the brain and muscles have trouble planning or executing movements for speech.

Childhood Apraxia of Speech (CAS)

CAS is a rare movement-based speech problem. Children with CAS may:

• Have inconsistent errors when saying the same word
• Struggle more with longer or complex words
• Appear “groping” for sounds

This is not a behaviour problem; it reflects how the brain plans speech movements. For more information:  Childhood Apraxia of Speech | Murdoch Children's Research Institute

Dysarthria

Dysarthria refers to speech difficulties due to muscle weakness or coordination due to an issue with the brain. It can affect:

• Speech clarity
• Loudness
• Speech rate

Dysarthria does not affect intelligence, ability to understand language, think of words, and literacy skills.  For more information:  Dysarthria | Communication Hub

Follow up with a speech pathologist is recommended if you have concerns with your child's speech or communication development.  

Some signs might include:

• Your child is often hard to understand compared with peers
• Speech errors do not improve as your child gets older
• Your child avoids talking or seems frustrated
• There are concerns about hearing or frequent ear infections

A speech pathologist will take a full developmental history, observe speech in natural settings, consider hearing, and provide recommendations based on your child's individual needs.

If you have any questions or would like to schedule an appointment, please contact us.