How is "articulation delay" defined in children?

"Articulation delay" in children is defined as a delay in the ability to produce speech sounds at expected developmental milestones. This means that while the child is capable of speech, they may not properly articulate sounds or words according to the norms for their age group. Children are expected to reach certain benchmarks for sound production as they grow, and an articulation delay indicates they are falling behind these benchmarks.

This definition is significant because it underscores the distinction between typical speech development and a delay, rather than indicating a complete loss of speech or persistent unclear speech, which are not characteristics of articulation delay. The phenomenon does not pertain solely to issues arising after a certain age, such as age five; rather, it encompasses a broader range of developmental stages where specific sounds may not be produced correctly. Thus, recognizing articulation delay allows for targeted intervention to help children develop clearer and more accurate speech patterns as they grow.