Some children have plenty to say. The words are there, the ideas are there — but somewhere between thought and speech, sounds come out unclear, substituted, or dropped altogether. For parents, it can be a quiet source of worry: wondering whether teachers understand their child, whether other children do, whether it will sort itself out or whether something more is needed.
At American Wellness Center in Dubai Healthcare City, our pediatric speech and language therapy team works with children across a wide range of speech sound difficulties — from mild articulation delays to more complex phonological disorders — using structured, evidence-based therapy in a setting that feels safe and unhurried.
This service supports children who have difficulty producing speech sounds clearly and consistently. It is appropriate for:
If you are unsure whether your child's speech is within the expected range for their age, an assessment will give you a clear picture.
Speech sound difficulties can show up in different ways. Some children consistently replace one sound with another. Others drop sounds from the ends of words, simplify consonant clusters, or produce sounds in an unusual way that makes their speech hard to follow. Common presentations include:
Research suggests that speech sound disorders are among the most common communication difficulties in early childhood, affecting approximately 10–15% of preschool-age children. Many do not resolve fully without targeted intervention.
Every child begins with a thorough evaluation. Our pediatric SLT team uses standardized articulation and phonological assessments to identify which sounds are affected, what error patterns are present, and how the difficulty compares with developmental norms for the child's age. Where relevant, we also consider the child's hearing status, oral motor function, and language development.
Sessions are available in person at our Dubai Healthcare City clinic, with online sessions offered where clinically appropriate.
Progress in speech sound therapy tends to be gradual and cumulative. Over the course of treatment, many children show meaningful changes in how clearly they communicate — and in how they feel about speaking. Common outcomes include:
Outcomes vary depending on the nature and severity of the difficulty, the child's age, and consistency of practice. A realistic care plan, reviewed regularly, will reflect your child's individual pace.
AWC's pediatric speech and language therapy service is delivered by a DHA-licensed clinician with over nine years of experience in pediatric communication disorders. Our team works within a multidisciplinary framework, meaning that where a child's needs extend beyond speech sounds alone — into areas such as occupational therapy, child psychology, or autism support — appropriate referrals and collaborative care are available within the same center.
Families in Dubai come to us from a wide range of cultural and linguistic backgrounds. We are experienced in assessing and treating children who are growing up in multilingual households, and we adapt our approach accordingly. All sessions are fully confidential, and scheduling is flexible across weekday and weekend slots.
If you have noticed your child struggling to be understood — or if a teacher, nursery, or doctor has raised a concern — an initial assessment is the clearest next step. There is no pressure to commit to a long program before you have a sense of what your child needs.
You can contact our team to book an assessment or ask a question before deciding. Our pediatric SLT service is based at Dubai Healthcare City, with online appointments available for families who prefer them. The first session focuses on listening — to your child, and to you.
