Many parents hear conflicting advice about speech sounds.
💬 “They’ll grow out of it.”
💬 “Just wait a bit longer.”
💬 “Get it checked.”
It’s confusing — and you just want to make the right decision for your child.
Here’s the truth: some speech errors do improve on their own… but many do not. Knowing the difference can save your child months (or years) of frustration.
Why Speech Sounds Matter
Speech sounds are how children make themselves understood.
When a child struggles to say certain sounds, you may notice:
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They get frustrated when others don’t understand them
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Family members “translate” for them
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Teachers mention unclear speech
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Other children struggle to understand them
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They avoid speaking in some situations
Clear speech isn’t just about communication — it impacts confidence, friendships, learning, and early literacy.
The Risk of “Waiting and Seeing”
Yes, some young children naturally grow out of early speech errors.
But many speech sound difficulties do not resolve without support, especially:
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lisps
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constant “fronting” (e.g., tar for car)
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“backing” (e.g., gog for dog)
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cluster reductions (e.g., poon for spoon)
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unusual sound patterns
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speech that is hard to understand after age 3
These patterns can become habits that are harder to correct later.
The earlier a child starts therapy, the faster they typically progress.
Children’s brains are developing fast between 3–7 years — the perfect time for laying strong speech-motor pathways.
This is why at Perth Speech Therapy, we recommend booking an assessment rather than waiting and hoping things improve on their own.
Early Support Doesn’t Mean “Something Is Wrong”
Getting help early simply means your child is:
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learning strong speech habits
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avoiding frustration later
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building confidence in talking
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supported before the problem becomes bigger
Parents often tell us that therapy helped their child:
✨ speak more clearly
✨ make friends more easily
✨ participate confidently in class
✨ stop getting frustrated
A little help goes a long way.
Unsure? A Short Assessment Gives You Clear Answers
A friendly, play-based assessment can tell you:
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Are the speech errors age-appropriate?
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Will they likely resolve on their own?
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Or does your child need support?
There is no pressure and no commitment — just clarity so you can make the best decision for your child.
If your child needs help, we explain exactly what therapy would look like.
If everything is on track, we tell you that too.
FAQ — Questions Parents Ask Most
1. What age should a child be speaking clearly?
By age 3, most speech should be understood by familiar people.
By age 4, strangers should understand most of what they say.
2. Which sounds should my child say at their age?
Some sounds develop early (p, b, t, d, m, n).
Others develop later (r, th, s blends).
We can tell you what is appropriate for your child’s age.
3. Is it normal if my child still can’t say “r” or “th”?
Sometimes yes — these are later-developing sounds.
But it depends on the child’s age, errors, and patterns.
4. My child is 4 and still very hard to understand. Should I worry?
If a 4-year-old is difficult for strangers to understand, an assessment is recommended.
5. Will my child grow out of a lisp?
An interdental lisp rarely resolves on its own. Therapy helps greatly.
6. Is therapy fun for kids?
Yes — our sessions are play-based, engaging, and motivating.
7. How long does speech therapy take?
Most children attend weekly sessions, and many see improvement within weeks.
8. Do I need a referral?
No. You can book directly with Perth Speech Therapy.
9. Can you assess children with autism, DLD, or other diagnoses?
Absolutely — we support children with a wide range of developmental profiles.