Speech Sound Disorder Support for Children
ETLC provides speech sound disorders therapy for children in Johnston and North Liberty, IA — in person or virtually, helping children communicate more clearly and confidently.
WHAT ARE SPEECH SOUND DISORDERS?
A speech sound disorder is any difficulty with the production of sounds in speech. Speech sound disorders can occur for various reasons, such as hearing loss, cleft lip or palate, or neurologic reasons. However, many children demonstrate speech sound disorders without the above-mentioned causes. There are three common distinctions SLPs can make between speech-sound disorders, and they are all treated in different ways. (ASHA 2022)
What Are Examples Of Speech Sound Disorders?
Articulation Disorder
An articulation disorder focuses on errors in the production of individual speech sounds.
Examples:
A "lisp" due to a child having their tongue between their teeth when making a /s/ sound ('thoup' for "soup")
Inability to produce sounds (saying "weef" for "leaf) because the child has difficulties lifting their tongue
Phonological Disorder
A phonological disorder occurs when a child uses patterns of sound errors. These error patterns are usually predictable, rule-based errors that affect more than one sound. Children simplify complex words with phonological processes.
Example:
If a child makes errors with a group of sounds, such as fricatives, or sounds where lots of air comes out of the mouth (e.g., /s, z, f, v/). The child’s error pattern will be similar. The child may stop the airflow (e.g., "toup" for "soup" or "pox" for "box")
Childhood Apraxia of Speech
Childhood Apraxia of Speech (CAS) is a neurological speech disorder characterized by motor planning errors with precise and consistent movements used in speech. Apraxia of speech causes delayed and irregular speech development.
Children with CAS might:
Say the same word a different way each time
Say short words more clearly than longer words
Avoid talking due to difficulties with production
How Can ETLC Help?
We utilize evidence-based therapy approaches for speech sound disorders based on each child's specific needs. We provide direct skill-building instruction to help improve sound errors with immediate feedback and opportunities for repetition and practice. Therapists at ETLC have extensive speech production knowledge, phonologically based strategies, and specific training on motor-based approaches.
How Do I Get Started With Enrichment Therapy & Learning Center?
1. Start The Conversation
The first step is to reach out if you have a concern. Our intake process is designed to help families feel comfortable while also helping us understand the child’s needs.
We start with a conversation to gather background information, discuss questions, and help guide the family toward the best next step, whether that’s a screening, consultation, or formal evaluation.
2. Schedule a Consultation
Once scheduled, families complete an online intake to help our team tailor the evaluation to their specific concerns. We walk parents through the expected timeline and the specific areas being tested so there are no surprises.
After the evaluation, a dedicated consultation session is held to review the results and recommendations in detail and give you an opportunity to ask questions and discuss the next steps for your child.
3. Receive an Individualized Plan
Your child receives a custom treatment plan with specific, measurable goals based on their unique learning style.
Depending on the provider, our services may be fully covered by your insurance. If an evaluation is not covered by insurance or you have an out-of-network policy, we are very transparent about cost.
4. Watch Your Child Thrive
Through personalized one-on-one sessions, we help your child bridge developmental gaps and build confidence. Because every child presents differently, our support is highly individualized, and the duration of treatment is determined by your child’s age, their specific challenges, and their progress.
While research shows that intensive, ongoing intervention has the strongest results, most children meet their primary goals within an average of two years.
Why Choose ETLC?
At Enrichment Therapy & Learning Center, we believe every child deserves to thrive with their communication and academic skills, and we know you want that too. Our specialists are trained in many research-based programs and strategies to create a plan specific to your child and their unique learning style. Together, we can help your child feel confident and successful!
Ready to Help Your Child Thrive?
Reach out today to schedule a consultation with ETLC's speech-language pathologists in Johnston and North Liberty, IA — in person or virtually.
Frequently Asked Questions
What age should a child start talking clearly?
Children typically begin saying simple words around 12–24 months, though their speech may be hard to understand at first, which is normal. By about 18 months, most children say 20–50 words in approximations, meaning the word is close enough to understand (like “ba” for “ball”). By age 3, about 75% of their speech should be understood, and by age 4, their speech should be mostly clear and include multi-word phrases.
Is it normal for a 2-year-old not to talk much?
It can be normal for some 2-year-olds to talk less than others, but we do expect them to be using words and starting to combine them. By age 2, most children have around 50 words and are beginning to use two-word phrases like “more milk” or “mommy go.” If a child isn’t meeting these milestones, it’s a good idea to have their speech and language checked.
What happens during a speech therapy evaluation?
A speech therapy evaluation is a play-based assessment where we look at how your child communicates. We observe their speech sounds, understanding of language, and how they use words to interact. It’s designed to be engaging and helps us determine if support is needed.
What is the difference between speech delay and language delay?
Speech refers to how we produce sounds to form words—this includes articulation, voice, and fluency. Language is the system we use to understand and express ideas, including vocabulary, grammar, and sentence structure. In simple terms, speech is how we say words, while language is what the words mean and how we use them to communicate.
Is speech therapy covered by insurance?
Speech therapy is often covered by insurance, but coverage depends on your specific plan. Many plans will cover therapy if it is considered medically necessary, though there may be limits or requirements. At Enrichment, we accept Blue Cross Blue Shield, and we can help you understand your benefits — though we always recommend checking with your insurance provider directly to confirm your specific coverage as well.