By the time a child reaches first grade, they should be able to speak rather clearly to communicate with their peers. However, speech disorders are a relatively common problem for children. About five percent of children have some type of noticeable speech problem by the time they are in the first grade, and these children may need some form of speech therapy to help them. Speech therapy involves using proven methodology to help the child better understand how to communicate, make certain sounds with their mouth, and understand language spoken to them. Here is a look at some of the most common speech issues among children.

Speech Fluency Disorders

Speech fluency disorders are some of the most common speech impediments among children and adults. Fluency disorders affect how speech flows when an individual speaks due to difficulties with either the rhythm or rate of speaking. Cluttering and stuttering are two of the most widely recognized speech fluency disorders. Someone who stutters can have a hard time making certain sounds or forming certain words, so the flow of their speech is frequently interrupted. Cluttering, on the other hand, involves speaking words and sounds so quickly that everything tends to run together. Speech therapy is considered highly effective for correcting these types of speech impediments, but therapy can be a longer-term thing. 

Speech Reception Disorders 

Children with speech reception disorders often have other underlying conditions, such as autism or possibly some level of hearing impairment. Those with a speech reception disorder may speak fine, but they have a hard time understanding others when they speak, which can make communication extremely challenging. Children with a reception disorder usually need a more in-depth form of speech therapy referred to as speech-language therapy. This more intensive therapy may involve longer sessions and developmental therapy. 

Speech Articulation Disorders 

Speech articulation refers to how children form words to speak, and it is common for really young children to articulate what they need to say in awkward ways. For example, instead of saying "give" the child may say "gib." Articulation disorders, however, reach far beyond the years when a child initially learns how to speak. The child may continually use the wrong sounds to form words or swap words for other words that may not make a lot of sense. Usually, articulation is rooted in learned speech behaviors. However, a severe case may also be relative to a developmental issue. 

To learn more, contact a company like Speech Language and Hearing Associates.