Common Sounds Kids Struggle to Pronounce

The development of speech and language skills varies from child to child. However, there are certain age-range milestones that, when not achieved, may possibly imply future speech and speech-learning difficulties.

For instance, according to experts that offer speech therapy for toddlers, at the age of 6 to 12 months, a baby should be able to babble and repeat sounds. By age 1 to 2 years old, they may be able to say the sounds of p and b among others. By the time they're 5, their speech should generally be easy to understand though they may still struggle to pronounce "th" sounds.

In this article, we're rounding up the most common sounds kids may find hard to pronounce.

K.

Most providers offering speech therapy services in Madison NJ, would agree that many youngsters struggle with saying the k sound (as in cake). Often, what they do is replace it with a t sound (as in tate).

L and r.

Even among older children, you may encounter individuals who can't properly pronounce these sounds, especially when they're in the same sentence (as in the lion is roaring). As a substitute, they tend to use a w sound (as in the wion is wawing).

Zh.

This sound is found in many complicated words. For instance, the second g in garage and the s in decision. Even for native English speakers, this is one of the most difficult sounds to learn.

Voiced and voiceless th.

Ask any Speech and language therapist, these sounds are some of the most challenging to learn for children. The voiceless th is the sound used in words like "thumb" and "thank you"; voiced th, in words like the and with. Often, kids use f and v sounds as the respective replacements (as in fumb, fank you, va, and wiv).

Consonant blends.

It's also challenging for children to pronounce consonants used next to each other clearly. For example, instead of saying "stay" or "stop," they will say "say" or "sop."

Multisyllabic words.

In speaking to a few Speech Language Pathologists in NJ, it's common to jumble or shorten words and phrases with too many syllables. For instance, instead of saying "spaghetti," they may say paghetti or pagshetti.

Ways You Can Help

Getting help from a speech pathologist in NJ is one of the best ways to help your child who's struggling to pronounce certain sounds at their age.

Pediatric speech therapy is a specialized form of rehabilitation that helps children recover from speech disorders. Speech therapists assess and help children develop their speaking skills through unique exercises and activities designed to improve their ability to communicate. They also work with parents like you and teachers to ensure that children receive the best treatment plan.

Apart from relying on early interventions from a speech therapy clinic in New Jersey, you can be a role model on how to pronounce sounds properly. Help your kid practice reading at home and be patient about their situation. It's important not to force your child to learn hard phonics sounds. With a professional by your side, be there to guide them until they get better diligently.

How Speech & Occupational Therapy Helps Autistic Kids

For every 35 children you meet in New Jersey, odds say that one child will have an autism spectrum disorder (ASD). This is according to a 2021 report from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. And if you’re a parent to a kid with ASD, providing them speech and pediatric occupational therapy in NJ can help make life better for them.

What is ASD

ASD is an umbrella term for lifelong developmental disabilities that affect how a person communicates and relates to others. People with ASD often have difficulty forming relationships and may experience challenges with social communication and repetitive behaviors.

What is Pediatric Speech Therapy

Speech therapy (ST) is a field that focuses on patients who have communication problems. Those who specialize in pediatric speech therapy are trained to work with children who struggle with verbal speach due to physical disabilities, neurological disorders, developmental delays, or other reasons.

From initial evaluation and creating a personalized plan to implementing that plan, the goal of a speech therapist is to improve someone’s ability to communicate — verbally, non-verbally, and in social settings. Some of the skills required to achieve this objective are:

• Strengthening the muscles used in speech

• Making clearer speech sounds

• Modulating tone

• Improving facial expression

• Responding to questions

This is particularly helpful for autistic kids as they immerse themselves in autism social groups in Morris County. Such social groups are designed to help children with ASD engage with their fellow youngsters and gain a better understanding — not just of body language but of emotions as well. It’s also an environment where they can learn how to initiate conversations and empowered to grow in these endeavors.

What is Pediatric Occupational Therapy

Occupational therapy refers to the holistic treatment that helps people with disabilities achieve their highest level of function. When you allow your autistic child to attend occupational therapy sessions, you’re allowing them to receive professional guidance on how to do daily activities, you and I may take for granted, more successfully.

Pediatric occupational therapy starts with a proper assessment of a patient’s skills. Patients with ASD, the skills they’re being evaluated for include social, cognitive, sensory, motor, and cognitive skills. A pediatric occupational therapist then crafts and rolls out an individual treatment plan. This plan may include several interventions, such as:

• Physical exercises that enhance motor development

• Learning activities that focus on sensory integration

• Strategies that help foster a patient’s emotional growth

• Cognitive behavioral approaches to correct erring behaviors while reinforcing positive ones

• Social groups participation to encourage interaction with peers

How These Therapies Can Help Autistic Kids

Occupational and pediatric speech therapy in Madison NJ plays a vital role in unlocking the full potential of an autistic child. If your little one is suffering from ASD, enrolling them in these therapy sessions can enhance their overall development.

One of the key contributory factors that make these therapies helpful is the presence of a personalized treatment plan. This plan is made according to your child’s unique needs. But while this plan may comprise various interventions — one thing is a staple: the need for social immersion. It’s an opportunity to put your kid’s skills to the test in a real-life situation while getting authentic support from fellow autistic kids and other people concerned.