Addressing Phonological Delay/Disorder

Phonological delay or disorder is a type of speech sound difficulty that affects a child’s ability to organise the sound system of their language. This isn’t about the physical act of making sounds (like a lisp), but rather the patterns of sounds and how they are used in words. For example, a child might say “tup” instead of “cup” or “tar” instead of “car” because they are simplifying the sounds they use. This can make their speech difficult for others to understand and can lead to frustration for the child.

Our therapy for phonological difficulties is designed to make learning speech sounds fun and effective. Katy uses a range of play-based activities to help children recognise and practice the correct sound patterns. Sessions focus on building a child’s awareness of sounds and helping them to use these sounds correctly in different words and sentences. Parents are coached on how to continue this practice at home, using playful activities to reinforce new skills and build their child’s confidence in their speech.