Motor Speech Delay
- Helping words flow -
Does my child have a motor speech delay?
The thoughts and ideas your child wants to share with you seem to be challenging for them to get out and you may wonder:
- Why does my child have a hard time forming words?
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- Should I be worried?
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- Will they catch up?
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- What can I do to help my kiddo?
It is good to be curious and you are not the only parent that has had these thoughts go through their head. If your little is not saying speech sounds and words as expected they many benefit from support form a speech therapist and we are here for you!
What is a motor speech delay?
A motor speech delay occurs when a child has difficulty coordinating the muscles needed for speech, making it hard to produce sounds, words, or sentences. Two common motor speech delays are Childhood Apraxia of Speech and Dysarthria.
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The brain struggles to send the correct signals to the lips, tongue and jaw leading to inconsistent speech patterns, difficulty imitating sounds, and challenges with longer words.
Signs of a motor speech delay may include:
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Limited variety of sounds
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Difficulty combining sounds into words
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Inconsistent speech errors
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Speech that sounds choppy or effortful
Childhood Apraxia of Speech
Dysarthria
Weak or uncoordinated speech muscles cause slurred or slow speech, often due to neurological conditions.
Motor Speech Delay Milestones
12 Months
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Limited range of vocalizations, mostly cooing sounds
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Difficulty with tongue movements or lip rounding
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Lack of variation in vocal pitch
6 - 12 Months
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Delayed or absent babbling
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Difficulty imitating sounds
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Limited consonant sounds used
12 - 24 Months
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Few understandable words
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Difficulty with sound sequencing
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Reliance on gestures to communicate
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Speech may be unclear or distorted
2 - 5 Years
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Difficulty producing multisyllabic words
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Speech may be slow and labored
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Problems with articulation of specific sounds
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Challenges with complex sentences
If you’re noticing signs of a motor speech delay in your child, a speech-language pathologist (SLP) can assess their speech and help with targeted therapy.
The Power of Early Intervention
The "wait and see" approach is great if you're watching the stars—but when it comes to your child’s speech and language development, research shows that early intervention leads to the best outcomes. Taking action now can make a meaningful difference in your child’s ability to communicate effectively.
Our Therapy Services
At True North SLP, we are committed to understanding your child’s communication challenges so we can help set them up for success. Every child deserves the opportunity to confidently express themselves, and we are here to support them every step of the way.
In-Home Therapy Sessions
Therapy sessions in your home allows your child to learn in a familiar setting, making sessions more effective and convenient.
Ongoing Parent Support
We aim to empower parents with resources and strategies to support their child beyond the therapy session.
Personalized Goals
After a comprehensive assessment, we develop personalized goals tailored to your child's specific area of needs and challenges.
Flexible Scheduling
Book speech therapy sessions that fits your busy schedule, so therapy works seamlessly into your life.
Engaging Therapy Sessions
We strive to create therapy sessions that incorporate your child's interests while working towards their goals in a structured manner.
Knowledgeable SLPs
We are dedicated to helping your child reach their full potential through joy and evidence-based practice.
Getting Started is Easy...
Complete our Online Intake Form
Click Here
Share information about your child and your primary concerns.
We aim to respond to your speech therapy request within 1-2 business days.
Get connected with an SLP
Discuss with a speech therapist what you hope to achieve through therapy sessions. As well, gain insights into how we can help.
Start Speech Therapy
Begin personalized speech therapy sessions in your home that support your child's unique communication needs.
At True North SLP, we are here to guide and support your child’s journey to confident communication.
Let’s go on this journey together!