Stages of speech sound therapy

When helping a child to say a new sound it is important to work through the stages in order. Your speech and language therapist will tell you which stage your child is working at. The stages of speech sound therapy are listed below:

Listening to sounds on their own and in words e.g. being able to identify the ‘k’ sound in ‘key’.
Saying the sound on its own e.g. ‘k’.
Saying the sound with a vowel to make nonsense words and real words e.g. ‘koo’, ‘kah’, ‘key’.
Saying the sound in a word e.g. ‘key’, ‘castle’, ‘kite’.
Saying the sound in a phrase e.g. ‘blue car’, ‘I found key’.
Saying the sound in a sentence e.g. ‘have you got the car picture?’, ‘the car is fast’.
Saying the sound while reading a story.
Saying the sound in everyday talking.

Watch this video for more information on the stages of speech sound therapy.

The Speech Sound Ladder

Time: 2:21

Contact us

For more information please contact the Speech and Language Therapy Service at Flockton House on 0114 226 2333.

Is something missing from this resource that you think should be included? Please let us know

Disclaimer

Please note: this is a generic information sheet relating to care at Sheffield Children’s NHS FT. These details may not reflect treatment at other hospitals. This information is not intended as a substitute for professional medical care. Always follow your healthcare professionals’ instructions. If this resource relates to medicines, please read it alongside the medicine manufacturer’s patient information leaflet. If this information has been translated into another language from English, efforts have been made to maintain accuracy, but there may still be some translation errors. If you are unsure about any of the guidance in this resource or have specific questions about how it relates to your child, always ask your healthcare professional for further advice.

Resource number: SL220

Resource Type: Article

Stages of speech sound therapy

Looking for something?

Smart Filters

Services

Who it's for

What it’s about

Format