Types of Speech Problems in Children

Speech problem or speech disorder in any child refers to the disruption in proper speech development. It is a type of communication disorder or impediment that is caused by number of reasons. If you notice your child not having proper communication or developing good speech as he grows, he must be having some speech problems.

Speech problems in children affect their communication in variety of ways depending on what type of speech problem they have. Such children are treated by speech and language pathologists using different language and speech therapies best suited for the disorder. Speech disorders are different then language disorders in children.

Types of Speech Problems In Children

• Apraxia

It is a speech problem in which a child has trouble to say what he wants to say correctly. It interrupts proper production of words by rearranging sounds in some words like "potato" to "topato". It may result from some illness affecting brain but is not due to the tongue or lips muscles weakness. Children with Apraxia are often treated with speech-language therapy.

• Stuttering

This speech problem in children does not allow smooth speech. A stuttering child repeats sounds of a word or holds a single sound for quite long. While stuttering, he often blinks his eyes or shakes lips. Stuttering is same as stammering and is most common in children learning to speak. it is caused by neurogenic problems, psychogenic or developmental problems.

• Cluttering

Cluttering is similar to stuttering that affects speech fluency of a child. It is actually the language impediment in which a child wants to say what he is thinking but cannot organize words to speak. This disorganization of words results in pauses or jerks while speaking. This impairment is treated by exaggerated oral-motor response or Delayed auditory feedback (DAF) patterns or language therapy.

• Dysarthria

It is a motor speech disorder in which muscles of the mouth, face or respiratory system become weak that causes slurred speech. The reasons also include brain injury, cerebral palsy, or muscular dystrophy. It is treated by providing individual speech therapy services by an SLP. Read here for more detail about Dysarthria

• Muteness

It is the complete inability to speak due to problem with some part of human body such as the throat, vocal cords, lungs, mouth, or tongue. A child who cannot speak at all is termed as “mute”. It is treated by learning sign language or doing computer based therapy.

• Voice Disorder

These impairments are associated with medical conditions affecting the production of speech in children. Some types of voice disorders are Vocal Cord Paralysis, Spasmodic Dysphonia or the improper function of larynx (voice box).

• Lisping

It is an articulation disorder in which a child has problem in producing phoneme or correct speech sounds. It includes omitting or distorting sounds like "cool" for "school" or “fith” for “fish”. Checkout here for more details about Lisping.

Many speech and communication centers in Dubai such as Kalimati Speech and Communication Center has a team of dedicated SLPs who treat speech problems in children by providing best speech and language therapy in Dubai.