Articulation Thearpy

We have been the top-rated articulation clinic in Smyrna GA for over 20 years.

Articulation problems occur when a child has difficulty producing specific speech sounds correctly, making their speech harder to understand. These issues are common in early childhood, but if they persist past certain developmental milestones, they can affect a child’s communication, social skills, and confidence. Articulation problems often involve difficulty forming sounds due to challenges with tongue placement, lip movement, airflow, or coordination of the muscles used in speech. While some sound substitutions are typical during development, persistent patterns may require intervention from a speech-language pathologist.

Children with articulation problems often show predictable symptoms. They may substitute one sound for another, such as saying “wabbit” instead of “rabbit,” or omit sounds altogether, like “ca” instead of “cat.” Some children distort sounds, producing unclear or slushy versions, while others may add extra sounds where they don’t belong. Parents and caregivers may also notice that their child’s speech sounds younger than their age or that teachers and peers struggle to understand them. These challenges can impact participation in school, friendships, and overall self-esteem if left unaddressed.

It’s important to remember that not all speech sound errors are articulation problems — some are part of normal development and resolve naturally as a child grows. However, if your child’s speech is difficult to understand past age 3 or 4, or if they seem frustrated when trying to communicate, it’s a good idea to seek an evaluation. At Primary Pathways Speech and Language Services, our experienced speech-language pathologists perform comprehensive assessments to identify specific articulation challenges and create personalized therapy plans to improve clarity and boost your child’s confidence in speaking.