Struggling With Pronunciation? How Speech Therapy in Phnom Penh Helps Children with Articulation Difficulties

Clear communication is a vital part of a child’s academic, emotional, and social development. But for many families in Phnom Penh, concerns arise when their child’s speech is difficult to understand. Whether it’s trouble saying certain sounds, replacing one sound with another, or leaving sounds out entirely, these challenges are known as articulation disorders. At OrbRom Center, we help children improve their pronunciation and confidence through individualized speech therapy in Phnom Penh.

What Is an Articulation Disorder?

Articulation disorders involve difficulty producing speech sounds correctly. Children may:

• Say “wabbit” instead of “rabbit” (substitution)

• Drop sounds altogether—“ca” for “cat” (omission)

• Distort sounds so that words are unclear or misheard

• Have speech that is difficult to understand by age 4

While some sound errors are typical in early development, persistent errors after certain ages could indicate a need for professional speech therapy.

To explore more on this topic, read: What Is Speech Therapy?

When to Be Concerned About Pronunciation

Not every mispronounced word is a red flag. However, your child may benefit from a speech evaluation if:

• Most people outside your family cannot understand them after age 3

• They become frustrated when trying to communicate

• Their errors are affecting classroom participation or peer relationships

• They have trouble with sounds like R, L, S, Th, Ch, or Sh beyond expected ages

At OrbRom Center in Phnom Penh, we conduct detailed assessments to determine whether your child’s speech patterns fall within developmental norms—or require targeted intervention.

Learn how a developmental assessment helps determine the root cause of speech concerns.

How Speech Therapy Improves Pronunciation

Our speech-language pathologists use proven, play-based methods to help children produce sounds correctly. Therapy typically includes:

• Auditory discrimination: Teaching children to hear the difference between correct and incorrect sounds

• Modeling and repetition: Practicing specific sounds in isolation, syllables, and words

• Visual cues and tactile tools: Using mirrors, picture cards, and sound placement charts

• Fun games and activities: Encouraging repetition through storytelling, songs, and interaction

We also integrate sensory supports—such as vibrating pillows or scissor skills activities—for children who benefit from multi-sensory input during sessions.

Over time, children learn how to position their lips, tongue, and breath to produce accurate sounds and improve clarity.

Support for Multilingual Families in Phnom Penh

Cambodia’s bilingual and multilingual environment adds complexity to speech development. At OrbRom, we recognize how Khmer, English, and other languages interact in a child’s speech—and we customize therapy accordingly. We assess:

• Which sounds are affected in each language

• If errors are due to second-language learning or true articulation challenges

• How to promote speech clarity in both academic and home settings

Bilingual children can absolutely learn to pronounce sounds correctly in both languages, with the right support.

To explore language and communication support in depth, visit: Communication and Language

Parent Involvement Makes the Difference

Speech therapy doesn’t stop at the clinic door. Parents play a critical role in reinforcing skills at home. Our therapists teach families simple daily strategies, including:

• Encouraging slow, clear speech

• Practicing target sounds during play or reading time

• Giving feedback in a positive, supportive tone

We also recommend tools for home use—such as chewable sensory necklaces or visual speech cards—to support children who are sensory-seeking or need extra cues.

Read more about effective strategies: Helping Children With Articulation Disorders

Why Choose OrbRom Center?

OrbRom Center is Phnom Penh’s trusted provider for speech therapy services, offering:

• Certified, experienced therapists

• Child-centered, one-on-one sessions

• Occupational therapy and assessments when needed

• Khmer and English language support

• A welcoming, sensory-informed environment

We also work with children who have additional diagnoses, such as autism, ADHD, or developmental delay.

When it comes to communication, every sound counts. Our goal is to help your child speak clearly, confidently, and proudly.

Final Thoughts: Clarity Builds Confidence

If your child is struggling with pronunciation, don’t ignore it or hope it goes away with age. The earlier speech therapy begins, the better the outcome. At OrbRom Center in Phnom Penh, we help children find their voice—one sound at a time.

Get started with our expert Speech Therapy Services