If your child is having trouble saying certain sounds, you might have heard the term articulation therapy. But what does that really mean? What can you expect from the process? Here’s a simple breakdown to help you understand the basic steps of articulation therapy.
1. Assessment
It all starts with an evaluation. A speech-language pathologist (SLP) listens to how your child says individual sounds and words to identify which sounds are delayed or in error, and whether those patterns are age-appropriate or need support.
2. Sound Selection
Once the SLP knows which sounds your child struggles with, they’ll decide which to target first.
3. Sound in Isolation
Therapy begins at the simplest level—just the sound by itself (like “s”). The goal here is for your child to produce the sound accurately with support and practice.
4. Syllables and Words
Once the sound is mastered alone, your child will practice it in syllables (like “sa” or “so”), then in words (like “sun” or “soap”), focusing on accurate placement and clarity.
5. Phrases and Sentences
After words, your child moves on to using the target sound in short phrases and sentences. This builds fluency and consistency in connected speech.
6. Conversation Practice
Finally, your child will practice using the sound in natural conversation. This is where we help the new speech pattern become second nature.
7. Carryover and Generalization
The last phase focuses on using the sound correctly across settings—at home, in school, and with different people. Family member involvement here is key!
It all starts with an evaluation. A speech-language pathologist (SLP) listens to how your child says individual sounds and words to identify which sounds are delayed or in error, and whether those patterns are age-appropriate or need support.
2. Sound Selection
Once the SLP knows which sounds your child struggles with, they’ll decide which to target first.
3. Sound in Isolation
Therapy begins at the simplest level—just the sound by itself (like “s”). The goal here is for your child to produce the sound accurately with support and practice.
4. Syllables and Words
Once the sound is mastered alone, your child will practice it in syllables (like “sa” or “so”), then in words (like “sun” or “soap”), focusing on accurate placement and clarity.
5. Phrases and Sentences
After words, your child moves on to using the target sound in short phrases and sentences. This builds fluency and consistency in connected speech.
6. Conversation Practice
Finally, your child will practice using the sound in natural conversation. This is where we help the new speech pattern become second nature.
7. Carryover and Generalization
The last phase focuses on using the sound correctly across settings—at home, in school, and with different people. Family member involvement here is key!
How You Can Help!
Practice at home, encourage your child’s efforts, and stay in touch with the SLP. Your support makes a big difference in progress!
Understanding the steps can help you feel more confident and involved in your child’s speech journey. Articulation therapy is a process—but with time, patience, and teamwork, children can make wonderful progress!
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