An articulation disorder is a speech disorder where an individual has difficulty pronouncing sounds correctly. This can involve substituting one sound for another, omitting sounds, or distorting sounds. For example, a child might say "wabbit" instead of "rabbit." These issues can affect communication and may lead to challenges in social interactions and academic performance. Articulation disorders can be caused by various factors, including hearing loss, developmental delays, or physical abnormalities in the mouth or throat. Early intervention is important, and speech-language pathologists often work with individuals to improve their speech clarity. Treatment may include exercises and strategies tailored to the person's specific needs.