---
title: Speech Sound Screener
description: A Quick Tool to Identify Which Speech Sounds Your Child Needs Help With
---
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3. [Speech Therapy Basics](https://wiki.athomearticulation.com/athomearticulationknowledgebase/im-a-parent?hsLang=en#speech-therapy-basics)
# Speech Sound Screener
## A Quick Tool to Identify Which Speech Sounds Your Child Needs Help With
### **Overview**
This [quick screener](https://hubs.ly/Q03mRmBz0) is designed to help you identify which speech sounds your child may be struggling to pronounce. You’ll listen to how your child says different sounds in the **beginning**, **middle**, and **end** of words. This tool will guide you in knowing what **sound**, **word position**, and **practice level** to focus on.
👉 **Before You Begin:**
-If you haven't yet, visit [www.athomearticulation.com](http://www.athomearticulation.com) to start your **free 2-week trial**. This screener works best when paired with the full At Home Articulation system.
Print the screener by clicking this [link: \[Speech Sound Screener\]](https://hubs.ly/Q03mRmBz0)
---
#### **Step 1: Preparation**
1. Sit in a **quiet room** with your child.
2. Have your child sit **facing you**, so you can clearly watch their mouth while they speak.
3. **Say each word aloud**, one at a time, and ask your child to repeat it.
4. **Focus only on the bolded sound** in each word.
- ✔️ Mark it **correct (+)** if they say the bolded sound accurately, even if the rest of the word is incorrect.
- ❌ Mark it **incorrect** **(-)** if they do not say the bolded sound correctly.
---
#### **Step 2: Encouragement**
- Avoid correcting your child during the activity.
- Don’t tell them whether their response was right or wrong. Instead, offer **positive encouragement**, such as:
- *“You’re working so hard!”*
- *“Way to stay focused!”*
- If your child refuses a word, skip it and return to it later.
---
#### **Step 3: After You Finish**
1. You'll find simple instructions to help you know exactly which sound to start practicing with your child first.
****
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👉 **Note:** If your child has trouble with R words, don’t worry! We’ve included a more detailed R Screener just for this tricky sound. R can change depending on the sounds around it — these are called **R variations**, and they're one of the most common sounds kids need extra practice with. Some R variations may start with a vowel sound, but they’re still considered R sounds.
****
**After the Speech Screener: What to Practice First**
Now that you've completed the speech screener, use the steps below to figure out which speech sound to start practicing with your child.
1. **Identify the Sounds to Work On**
First, look at your child's screener results. Circle all of the incorrect or minus marks (-). Which sound(s) and word position(s) do they need help with? (Examples: S-initial, L-final, K-initial). Write them in the space below:
2. **Put the Sounds in Developmental Order**
Using the **Average Age of Sound Acquisition** chart below, list the sounds (ignore the word positions) in the order children typically learn them—from earliest to latest.
(Example: K, then S, then L). Write them in the space below:
3. **Picking the Right Sound to Practice First**
Go to the **Parent Portal** and look under **Resources** \> **Tips and Tricks** as well as **Word Lists** for the sounds your child had trouble with.
- Try the first (earliest developing) sound on your list.
- Use the strategies in the **Tips and Tricks** to see if your child can say some of the words in the **Word List** with your help.
- ✅ If they can say it correctly with your support, **that’s the best sound to start practicing**!
- ❌ If they can’t say any of the words correctly, that’s okay— Move onto the next sound from your speech screener results and repeat the same process using the **Tips and Tricks** and **Word Lists.**
- ***If your child isn’t able to say any of the sounds correctly in single words, this is your cue to contact a licensed speech-language pathologist.***
---
#### **Step 4: Play a Game!**
- - Now that you know what sound to practice, head to the **Practice Portal**:
- Select the **sound** you identified to practice first
- Choose the **word position** (beginning, middle, or end)
- Pick the **level** that fits your child’s needs
- Not sure what word position or level to choose? No worries—we’ve included quick 60-second tutorials right in the Practice Portal to help you decide confidently.
- Select a **fun game** and hit “**Let’s Play!**”
---
- [I'm a Parent (Invited by an SLP)](https://wiki.athomearticulation.com/athomearticulationknowledgebase/im-a-parent-invited-by-an-slp?hsLang=en#main-content)
- [Getting Started](https://wiki.athomearticulation.com/athomearticulationknowledgebase/im-a-parent-invited-by-an-slp?hsLang=en#getting-started)
- [I'm a Parent](https://wiki.athomearticulation.com/athomearticulationknowledgebase/im-a-parent?hsLang=en#main-content)
- [Speech Therapy Basics](https://wiki.athomearticulation.com/athomearticulationknowledgebase/im-a-parent?hsLang=en#speech-therapy-basics)
- [FAQ](https://wiki.athomearticulation.com/athomearticulationknowledgebase/im-a-parent?hsLang=en#faq)
- [Getting Started](https://wiki.athomearticulation.com/athomearticulationknowledgebase/im-a-parent?hsLang=en#getting-started)
- [I'm an SLP](https://wiki.athomearticulation.com/athomearticulationknowledgebase/im-an-slp?hsLang=en#main-content)
- [Getting Started](https://wiki.athomearticulation.com/athomearticulationknowledgebase/im-an-slp?hsLang=en#getting-started)
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