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What is Articulation Therapy?

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Summary

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Articulation therapy is like a workout for your mouth. It’s where a helper, called a speech therapist, teaches your kid how to say sounds and words clearly.

Frequently Asked Question

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When should my child start articulation therapy?

If your child is consistently making speech errors that are unusual for their age, it might be time to consider articulation therapy. A speech-language pathologist can provide a detailed evaluation to determine the need for therapy.

How long will my child need to attend articulation therapy?

The duration of articulation therapy varies based on individual needs. Some kids may need a few months of therapy, while others might require a few years.

Will articulation therapy completely eliminate my child's speech errors?

While the goal of articulation therapy is to improve speech clarity, complete elimination of speech errors may not always be possible. However, therapy can significantly reduce errors and enhance overall communication skills.

Can articulation therapy help with other speech difficulties, such as stuttering or lisps?

While articulation therapy primarily focuses on addressing specific sound errors, it can also be beneficial for other speech difficulties like lisps or stuttering. A skilled speech-language pathologist will tailor the therapy approach to target the specific needs of each child, regardless of the speech concern.

Scientific Definition

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In speech and language sciences, articulation therapy is a specialized intervention method. It focuses on helping children, especially those with special needs, to properly form and pronounce specific sounds and words. This therapy is conducted by a trained speech-language pathologist. They use various techniques and exercises to improve a child’s oral motor skills, leading to clearer, more intelligible speech.

Real World Example of Antecedent-Behavior-Consequence (A-B-C) Analysis

Meet Susie, an energetic 6-year-old. Susie loves to talk but struggles with the ‘s’ and ‘sh’ sound. To help her, her parents introduced articulation therapy.

  • Sound Drills: Susie plays a game on her Goally tablet. The challenge? To match pictures with words starting with ‘s’ and ‘sh.’ She’s having fun and doesn’t even realize she’s practicing!
  • Mirror Work: Susie giggles at her funny faces in the mirror as she learns how to position her tongue and lips for these sounds.
  • Story Time: Susie snuggles with her mom and a book full of ‘s’ and ‘sh’ sounds. She repeats the words, becoming more confident with every page.

Through articulation therapy, Susie is mastering her sounds. She’s not just talking; she’s communicating more clearly than ever.

How Does Articulation Therapy Work?

Articulation therapy helps your kid learn to say sounds and words more clearly. It’s like learning the ABCs of speaking. Here are some ways it happens:

  • Sound Drills: The therapist may use cards or apps with pictures. They ask your child to say the word that matches the picture. It’s like playing a game, but they’re practicing sounds.
  • Mirror Work: Using a mirror, the therapist shows your child how to move their tongue and lips to make sounds. It’s like a peek-a-boo game with sounds.
  • Story Time: The therapist reads a book or tells a story that uses lots of the sounds your child is working on. It’s like story time with a sound twist.
  • Play-Based Therapy: Your child practices sounds while playing. It’s like playtime, but your child gets to say the sound a lot!

At the end of the day, articulation therapy is about giving your child the tools to speak clearly and confidently. With Goally, articulation therapy can turn into fun and games! Our tablet has apps that use gamified learning and visual schedules to practice speech skills. It’s like having a speech therapist at your fingertips, anytime and anywhere.