Articulation

Articulation addresses production of speech sounds; assessment identifies sounds, positions, contexts, intelligibility, and whether patterns reflect the person’s language or dialect. The SLP distinguishes a speech sound disorder from typical linguistic variation before selecting targets and practice levels.

What to consider in assessment

Sample the sound in several word positions and phonetic contexts, then listen in conversation. Consider intelligibility, stimulability, hearing, and the phonological patterns of every language and dialect the person uses. A difference associated with a language variety should not be labeled an error.

What the SLP can address

The SLP identifies appropriate targets, teaches sound production when needed, measures practice accuracy, and checks carryover into meaningful speech. Target selection should reflect assessment findings and the speaker’s priorities.

Practice a target in a word set with useful vocabulary, then move from structured productions into a game, story, or conversation. Compare performance with and without a cue before increasing task complexity.

• Record the target sound, word position, phonetic context, and practice level with every accuracy measure.
• Use cues matched to the sound and fade them when the person can produce the target more independently.
• Sample performance beyond drills to see whether it carries into useful speaking contexts.

Choose strategies using assessment findings, the person’s preferences, and the treatment context.

Specify the functional context, observable response, criterion, support level, and how progress will be checked.

Include the sound, position, practice level, denominator, and cue type. A percentage alone hides whether the speaker was producing isolated sounds or communicating in conversation.

• S: Capture relevant practice or communication report.
• O: Include sound, position, level, correct/total trials, and specific cue type.
• A and P: Compare independence across levels and specify the next phonetic context or carryover task.

Continue with resources currently available on Culturally Speaking SLPs.