5 Things Parents Whose Kids Struggle With Speech Need To Know About

As a professional phonetician (speechy sound person) I talk with lots of parents who want to help their kids pronounce their "R", "L", and "S" sounds but don't know how. These parents want to help but don't know what to do. Here are a few tidbits, products, and ideas to help YOU help YOUR KID.

1. Language is complicated. Speech is much easier.

We're talking about Rs and Ls here. Not major neurological rewiring.

I come across a lot of speech teachers...that is Speech-Language Pathologists (SLP). SLPs go through intense schooling to learn how to help people communicate. A lot of their focus is on language. Language is a complex beast that is hard to put a finger on. Speech is separate from language and is much more measurable and coachable.

With a little bit of work parents, even YOU, can help coach their child to pronounce difficult sounds. Sometimes there are underlying problems that need a professionals, but most parents know if something is off with their children and can tell if they need special assessment.

2. Some Sounds Develop Later than Others

Mommy Speech Therapy / Via mommyspeechtherapy.com

So your neighbor's girl spoke in full Shakespearean iambic pentameter at the age of 4 days? Most kids aren't so lucky.

Speech sounds are made by combining the right tongue position, lip position, and using vocal cords (or not). Some sounds are as simple as putting your lips together, like B and P. Other sounds require more coordination and on average don't develop until kid are 3 to 7 years old.

If your kid is 5 or 6 and can't say R or L. Don't freak out. Check out the sound development chart from Mommy Speech Therapy to see when different sounds develop.

You can check out a simple version of the chart above HERE.

3. Best Parent Speech App: VowelViz

CompleteSpeech / Via completespeech.com

We live in the age of technology and information. There are some great tools that let parents help their kids with difficult speech sounds.

You may not have an education in articulation, but you can hear when things are right or not. These can help.

VowelViz is an app for iPads and iPhones that uses kids' speech to move little ball, bee, or spaceship around the screen. There are buttons and targets. The goal is to get the ball into the target. There is a basic version for $30 and a kid version that has flashcards and themes for $50.

Pros: Lots of tutorials available, Easy to use, Kids like playing with it, It's great for the R sound.

Cons: For most kids it's only good for the R sound, You have to watch tutorials or read the instructions to learn what the funky symbols mean.

4. Best Guiding Tool: Speech Buddies

Speech Buddies / Via speechbuddy.com

In the past popsicle sticks and honey have been used to get kids to move their tongue into place. Speech Buddies makes small, hand-held tools that help guide kids' tongues and mouths into place to make the right sounds. The tools actually help kids mold their tongue into the right position using tactile feedback, A.K.A touch.

You don't need a masters degree to use these. These are good tools for parents and kids to work on simple speech sounds.

Pros: Low barrier to entry technically, Available for most common trouble sounds, Portable, Parent friendly instructions and support.

Cons: Each one costs $124, Not very good for working on sounds in connected speech.

5. Best Computer Program for Parents

CompleteSpeech / Via completespeech.com

Sometimes you need a tank.

CompleteSpeech makes this list again but this time with its primary tool, the SmartPalate System. The SmartPalate System is a powerful tool, and CompleteSpeech has some great videos that will tug at your heart strings.

The System uses a mouthpiece with sensors that is custom made for each user. As far as speech tools and technology goes, the SmartPalate System is as good as it gets.

The system lets your kid see how they are using their tongue to speak. It users "tongue targets" to help guide kids to proper speech. Its an effective tool for lots of more difficult disorders but it is a powerhouse for helping kids with learning how to say specific sounds.

There is a bit more training involved but it certainly accessible for parents. It is used by many private speech pathologists and can be used both in professional therapy and at home.

Pros: Customized fit, Accurate personalized feedback and guidance, Visual Feedback, Very will researched, Very effective in simple and complex speech practice.

Cons: The customized fit and personalized feedback require some time and training, Price-the system requires a minimum 6 month membership of $89/month.

6.

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