What Is a Speech Impediment? Signs, Examples, When to Get Help
If you’re a caregiver of a child with a speech disorder, or an adult who has been quietly masking speech challenges, speech therapy can help you or your child find a clear, confident voice. Discover how speech therapy builds confidence and helps people of all ages communicate clearly in daily life.
If you’ve ever heard a child say something adorable like “wabbit,” “b-b-b-ball,” or “printheth,” you probably knew what they meant, even though the words weren’t quite right. These are examples of speech impediments, which are speech disorders that make it difficult for someone to pronounce words clearly. While we often notice them in children, adults can also experience speech difficulties, such as stuttering or lisping.
Speech quirks in young children can be cute, but supporting early communication is important. Clear speech helps kids make friends, share their thoughts, and ask for what they need. For adults, improving speech makes it easier to communicate at work, socially, and in daily life.
Read on to learn about the types of speech impediments, how to spot them at different ages, and how speech therapy can help people of all ages speak clearly and confidently.
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Get startedWhat is a speech impediment?
A speech impediment is not an inability to speak. It's a speech disorder that affects how clearly someone can communicate. A speech disorder can make it hard to pronounce words, form sounds, or properly use the voice. For example, a child with a lisp might say “thun” instead of “sun.” An adult might stutter and repeat certain syllables, like “C-c-c-can I have more coffee.”
A speech disorder is different from a language disorder. A speech disorder involves physically making sounds to form words, while a language disorder involves challenges with understanding or using language. A child with a speech impediment might know what they want to say but can’t pronounce it clearly. However, a child with a language disorder might have trouble understanding what other people are saying. Similarly, an adult with a speech disorder might have a hoarse voice from a vocal strain, while an adult with a language disorder may have trouble forming thoughts into words.
Speech impediment types
There are a few different types of speech impediments. Understanding which type you or your child may have is the first step toward getting the right support.
Articulation disorders
An articulation disorder occurs when there is difficulty forming speech sounds correctly. This may be caused by challenges with how the lips, tongue, or throat move together to form words. For children, it’s completely normal to go through stages of speech development where certain sounds are tricky, but most children outgrow that as they age. When articulation difficulties stick around, it may be a sign of an articulation disorder. When left untreated, these challenges can often continue into adulthood.
People with an articulation disorder may:
Have trouble pronouncing certain consonants, such as /s/, /r/, /l/, /k/, or th
Substitute one sound for another (“wabbit” instead of “rabbit”)
Leave out sounds from words (“ca” instead of “cat”)
Have a lisp (“thipper” instead of “zipper”)
Add an extra sound that does not belong (“puhlay” instead of “play”)
Phonological disorders
A phonological disorder happens when someone has trouble using sound patterns correctly. For example, they may say “tat” for “cat,” or “do” for “go.”
“Because a phonological disorder can affect a whole group of sound patterns, it can tend to make speech less intelligible overall, even when the child is speaking fluently,” says Laura Thorburn, MA, CCC-SLP, a speech-language pathologist and Director of Clinical Content at Expressable.
Fluency disorders
A fluency disorder is when there are problems with the smoothness of your speech, which can result in hard-to-understand speech. Two examples include:
Stuttering: A disruption in the normal flow of speech. Stuttering involves repeating or prolonging sounds, syllables, or words, like “I want-want-want that” or “IIIIIII want that.”
Cluttering: When speech is rapid, unclear, or disorganized. An example is when someone says “absly” for “absolutely.”
Voice disorders
Voice disorders occur when there are problems with the vocal cords, such as swelling, weakness, damage, or limited movement, which makes it difficult or uncomfortable to speak clearly. Two common types of voice disorders include:
Spasmodic dysphonia: This happens when the nerves controlling the vocal cords don’t work properly, causing the voice to sound shaky, tight, jerky, or hoarse.
Vocal nodules and vocal polyps: These are growths that form on the vocal cords, often from overusing or misusing the voice (like shrieking or yelling). Vocal growths can cause hoarseness or a rough, scratchy voice. They may make it difficult to speak for long periods or breathe comfortably.
Motor speech disorders
Motor speech disorders happen because there are problems with the muscles used for talking or the brain has trouble coordinating the mouth movements needed for speech. Common motor speech disorders include:
Childhood apraxia of speech (CAS): A motor planning disorder where the brain has trouble sending signals to the muscles in the mouth (like the lips, jaw, and tongue) to move in the right way to make sounds, form words, and speak clearly. If your child has CAS, their speech may be choppy or slow, and they can be difficult to understand. For example, they may say “disonar” instead of “dinosaur.”
Acquired apraxia of speech: Similar to CAS, but this type of apraxia often happens as a result of a neurological condition such as a head injury or stroke.
Dysarthria: A motor speech disorder that’s caused by weak speech muscles, resulting in slurred, slow, or strained speech. “Dysarthria occurs when the brain has a plan for speech, but the words sound slurred or imprecise, such as 'booh' for 'book,' with an inability to fully lift the back of the tongue for a precise 'k' sound,” explains Thorburn. Dysarthria may be caused by a stroke, traumatic brain injury, Parkinson’s disease, multiple sclerosis, or amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS).
Common signs of speech disorders by age
It’s completely normal for young children to make speech mistakes as they learn to talk, like saying “nana” for “banana.” These early sound errors can be different across cultures and languages, but they are part of expected development. However, knowing what’s typical at each age can help you recognize when your child is having difficulty.
Typical speech sound development:
3 months: Makes cooing sounds
5 months: Laughs and makes playful sounds
6 months: Begins to make babbling sounds, like “ma” and “da”
1 year: Uses more complex babbling, like “bababa”
3 years: Can say many consonant sounds, and familiar people can understand most of what they say
4 years: Speech becomes clearer and more complex, and most listeners can understand them
Signs of a speech disorder:
Preschool (3 to 5 years): If your child’s speech is hard to understand for people who don’t know them well, or if they continue to make sound errors that most young children have outgrown, it may be a sign of a speech disorder. Likewise, if your child’s stuttering lasts for more than six months or causes frustration or tension, they could benefit from speech therapy.
School-age children and teens: Ongoing sound errors that affect spelling or reading, or voice changes that last longer than two to three weeks, can be a sign of a speech disorder.
Adults: Adults may have a speech disorder that has persisted since childhood. Or they may acquire a speech disorder if they suddenly develop slurred speech, lose their voice, or begin stuttering for the first time, especially if this happens after a period of stress or injury.
Speech disorder causes and risk factors
There are many factors that can contribute to a child or an adult developing a speech disorder. Common reasons include:
Structural issues: Problems with the speech muscles or mouth structure (like a tongue tie or cleft palate) can make it harder to produce certain sounds or words.
Developmental disorders: Conditions like autism spectrum disorder or certain developmental delays can affect speech development.
Genetic syndromes: Certain genetic conditions can influence how speech develops.
Neurological issues: Damage to the brain or nerves that control the muscles used for speaking can interfere with speech.
Hearing loss: Chronic ear infections or other hearing problems can make it difficult to speak.
Family history: Speech disorders can run in families.
Vocal overuse or misuse: Frequent shouting, screaming, or not singing properly can strain the vocal cords and affect speech.
Pacifiers or thumb sucking: Overusing pacifiers or thumb sucking can affect how a child’s mouth and tongue develop, which may lead to speech issues.
Emotional stress: Stress or anxiety can lead to speech difficulties.
Acquired causes: In adults, speech disorders can develop after a stroke, traumatic brain injury, surgery, or head/neck cancer treatment.
In kids, certain factors can increase their risk of developing a speech disorder, including:
Gender: Boys are more likely to have speech difficulties.
Pregnancy or birth complications: Things like maternal stress, infections during pregnancy, premature birth, or low birth weight can contribute to speech delays.
Family history: Kids with relatives who’ve had speech or language difficulties may be more likely to experience them, too.
Diagnosing a speech impediment
If you notice that you or your child has speech challenges, the best first step is to schedule an evaluation with a speech therapist. During the evaluation, the speech therapist will review your or your child’s medical history. They may refer you to a hearing specialist if needed. They’ll also perform an oral-motor exam to check how the lips, tongue, and jaw move during speech. It’s a good idea to bring audio and/or video samples, or notes from your child’s teacher, so your speech therapist can get a full understanding of your child’s difficulties.
For toddlers and young children, speech evaluations are play-based. Therapists will use their favorite toys, games, or characters to make therapy fun and engaging. Depending on your child’s age, standardized tests are used to see how they produce specific speech sounds and words.
For adults, the therapist may ask you to read words, phrases, and sentences to evaluate how you form sounds. They’ll also have you move your mouth in different ways to look at your muscle strength, coordination, and movement.
Starting speech therapy early helps children communicate confidently, build friendships, and perform better in school. For adults, speech therapy can improve communication at work and in social settings, boost confidence, and enhance overall quality of life. No matter the age, the sooner therapy begins, the faster speech challenges can be improved.
Treatment and support options for speech disorders
After the evaluation, your speech therapist will develop a personalized treatment plan with a recommended number of sessions. They will also give you exercises or games to practice at home between visits. “The driving factor for any therapy program, regardless of the client’s age or the type of disorder, is functionality,” says Thorburn. “The sounds and words that the client is working on must be important and useful to them.”
For example, if someone’s name includes a sound they find challenging, the therapist might focus on practicing that name first, since it’s a word they use often. This helps build confidence and makes it easier to communicate in everyday situations.
Speech therapists will personalize sessions based on the type of speech disorder. Here’s what that can look like:
Articulation disorder: Therapy focuses on how sounds are made. The therapist helps clients learn how to form each sound correctly, first saying sounds on its own, then in words, phrases, and everyday conversation.
Phonological disorders: Sessions help clients hear the difference between sound patterns and practice using them correctly. For example, learning to say “tea” instead of “key.”
Fluency disorders: Therapy supports smoother speech and confidence. Clients learn strategies to speak more freely, manage tension, and communicate without fear or frustration.
Voice disorders: The focus is on improving voice quality, pitch, and endurance. Therapists also teach healthy voice habits and may help clients adjust pitch or tone to match personal goals.
Motor speech disorders: Therapy strengthens coordination and control of the muscles used for speech. It may also teach the person alternative methods for communicating.
Surgical or medical interventions for speech impediments
Sometimes surgical or medical procedures are needed to help correct speech problems.
For example, a tongue-tie release can help the tongue move more freely so certain sounds can be produced correctly. Surgery may be needed to repair a cleft lip or palate to improve airflow, resonance, and overall speech.
A speech therapist will work with you before and after treatment to help restore function, reinforce healthy speech habits, and make sure you or your child can communicate as clearly as possible.
Working with a speech therapist at Expressable
At Expressable, speech therapy sessions happen online through live video calls. This makes it easier to fit therapy into your schedule and stay consistent with appointments. In fact, research shows that online speech therapy is just as effective as in-person sessions for treating speech disorders.
For kids, caregiver involvement is a big part of success. That’s why our program includes parent coaching. You’ll learn the same techniques your child practices with their therapist, so you can confidently help them at home and keep progress moving between sessions.
Here’s what some of our patients and families have to say:
“My son LOVES working with Brenna, and I believe this has had a huge impact on his quick progression so far. He truly enjoys every lesson and, as a result, wants to be better and better in his language skills. He’s self-correcting throughout the day and really getting the hang of his ‘s’ sounds. Brenna makes the lessons so fun and engaging that he doesn’t even realize he’s putting in such hard work.” - Parent of a child with an articulation disorder “Tiffany is absolutely AMAZING with both of my children! They have been receiving speech services for 6 years from other companies, but yet I’ve seen more progress with Tiffany in just 2 months. Tiffany has given me hope that my children will not have issues throughout their life with speech. They have started to pronounce words/sounds that I have never heard them speak clearly until now!” - Parent of children with articulation disorders
“Madison gave me the skill sets I need to thrive. More importantly, she gave me the confidence to always say what I want to say. She filled me with the belief that I am a great communicator regardless of a stutter.” - Adult who stutters
“I wasn’t sure what to expect starting speech therapy as an adult. Kelsey did an amazing job of making me feel comfortable and providing a plan to help me get to a better place with my speech. Although I still stutter, I have more confidence speaking and now have tools to help me get stuck less.” - Adult who stutters
“My husband has both severe aphasia and apraxia, yet our therapist Kelsey is so patient with him as he tries to provide words, sentences, etc. Kelsey is quick to switch to a different question or activity if needed, and is very aware when my husband is becoming tired. She is so calm, caring, and competent!” - Family of a patient with acquired apraxia
Claudia's story
With online speech therapy, Claudia got rid of a lisp she'd had since childhood--and learned to communicate with more confidence.
Read Claudia's storyWhen to seek care for a speech impediment
If you’re unsure if you or your child should see a speech therapist, here are some signs that it’s time to get support:
Delayed speech compared to other children the same age
Speech that’s hard for others to understand
Stuttering, cluttering, or other problems with speech smoothness that cause frustration
Anxiety or self-consciousness related to speech difficulties
Voice loss or hoarseness lasting more than 2 to 3 weeks
Pain when speaking
Noisy breathing or wheezing (stridor)
Rapid decline in speech abilities
Frequent aspiration (breathing in foreign objects)
Call emergency services immediately if you or your child suddenly cannot speak, have a facial droop or weakness on one side, a severe headache, or other signs of a stroke.
How to support a speech disorder at home and at school
For both children and adults, one of the most important parts of speech therapy is practicing the skills learned in sessions during everyday life. The more you practice, the more quickly new skills and speech patterns will “stick.”
If your child is in speech therapy, here are some strategies to support their progress at home:
Model simple language and clear speech so your child can imitate you.
Sing songs, which can be a fun way for children to learn new words.
Practice new words in daily conversation to build confidence.
Offer “voice naps” to give your child voice breaks and avoid strain.
Give your child time to talk without rushing them.
If your child is working on speech sounds, find fun ways to practice their sounds during games or daily activities like mealtime or bedtime. Your speech therapist can give you lots of ideas for how to do this!
If your child mispronounces a word, gently repeat the word correctly instead of pointing out the mistake.
To support your child at school, start by keeping their teachers informed. Let teachers know what your child needs in order to communicate clearly and be understood. Your speech therapist can help you put together information to share with teachers. Regular communication with your child’s school ensures that teachers understand your child’s challenges and can reinforce therapy techniques in the classroom.
Frequently asked questions (FAQs)
How do I tell if I have a speech impediment?
You might have a speech impediment if you have trouble saying certain words or sentences, if you consistently pronounce sounds incorrectly, or if others have a hard time understanding your speech. Keep in mind that speech and language impairments are different. A language impairment is a type of disorder that makes it difficult to use, process, and comprehend language. You can take our free online screener to find out if you or your child would benefit from a speech therapy evaluation.
Can you fix a speech impediment?
Speech therapy isn’t about “fixing” a person. Rather, it’s about helping people communicate as clearly and confidently as possible. Many speech disorders can be greatly improved with the right speech therapy.
What are the three speech impediments?
Types of speech impediments, or speech disorders, include articulation disorder, phonological disorder, fluency disorder, voice disorders, and motor speech disorders.
Is a speech impediment a disability?
“A speech impediment can be considered a disability if it seriously affects a person’s ability to communicate, learn, or participate in daily life,” says Thorburn. Not every speech difficulty counts as a disability, but when it does, children might qualify for extra support at school, and adults may receive workplace accommodations to make communication easier.
At what age do speech impediments start?
A speech impediment can become noticeable when children miss speech milestones. For example, around 4 to 6 months, babies usually start to make different vowel sounds or combine them with consonants, like “maaa.” If these early vocalizations are delayed or absent, it can be an early sign that your child has a speech disorder. If you’re not sure if your child has a speech disorder, take our free online screener. Questions are tailored by age, and you’ll get personalized results in minutes.
Key takeaways
A speech impediment makes it harder to pronounce words or use sounds correctly. Early support can help children and adults speak clearly and confidently.
Different types of speech impediments include articulation, phonological, fluency, voice, and motor speech disorders. Speech therapy is personalized and focuses on the specific disorder as well as the person’s goals.
Noticing early signs of speech difficulties can help children and adults get support sooner and reduce the risk of long-term communication challenges.
A speech therapist helps people of all ages practice sounds, improve clarity, and develop strategies for effective communication. Therapy builds confidence and makes it easier to communicate at home, at school, and in everyday life.
How Expressable Can Help
Concerned your child isn't reaching age-expected milestones? Looking for communication support from a professional? Expressable is a national online speech therapy practice serving children and adults. We treat all major areas of communication and feeding, offer flexible hours including evenings and weekends, and accept most major health insurance plans. We’re proud to have earned more than 3,000 5-star reviews from our clients (4.9/5 average).
Our therapy model is centered on parent and caregiver involvement. Research proves that empowering caregivers to participate in their loved one’s therapy leads to better outcomes. That’s why we combine live, 1-on-1 speech therapy with personalized education and home practice activities for faster progress.
Communication is more than words. It’s how we share how we feel and show who we are. We’re here to help you or your child do just that.
