What is articulation therapy like and why is it so important?

Following an assessment to determine what sounds are in need of support, therapy begins. The following sequence is generally the most important: instruction in the most salient features of the sound and how the structures in the mouth need to move in order to produce them; auditory discrimination for when others produce the target sound correct or incorrect; therapy to increase accuracy in articulation of that sound addressing one (or more) feature of the sound including models, visual and verbal cues, consistent corrective or reinforcing feedback; multiple trials embedded in to motivating materials; careful monitoring  of accuracy to track progress; review of performance at the end of each session.

Communication is an essential part of interacting with others, and the way we talk often forms a person’s first impression of us.  Many children have articulation errors, but because they are not delayed in two areas speech or language, are not eligible for school-based services.  Although academics are not often impacted directly, social relationships often are; and may indirectly result in poorer school performance.

People that are speaking English as a second language, may find their speech difference is creating an occasional barrier to successful conversations with their customers (such as health, educational, and public service professionals).  Others may find challenges communicating effectively in their day to day life in the community.  Articulation therapy will help clarify the client’s speech, however, because of the explicit training provided; clients will be able to control the level of ‘accent modification’ they choose to use in any given conversation.