What is the most effective strategy a speech-language pathologist should use to treat a child with multiple speech-production errors?

What is the most effective strategy a speech-language pathologist should use to treat a child with multiple speech-production errors?

• A. Arrange error sounds by developmental pattern and correct them sound by sound
• B. Start with sounds the child can make and use them as bridges to error sounds
• C. Teach sounds in isolation, then use nonsense syllables, and then build to words
• D. Delineate phonological processes in operation and address them through minimal-contrast pairs

Answer: (D)

The most effective strategy for treating a child with multiple speech-production errors involves delineating the phonological processes at play and addressing them using minimal-contrast pairs. This approach is grounded in understanding the underlying patterns of errors and the phonological processes that may contribute to the child’s speech. By identifying these processes, the speech-language pathologist Can specifically target the key aspects of the child's speech system that need intervention. Using minimal-contrast pairs allows the child to hear and produce sounds that are similar yet differ sufficiently to highlight the distinction between them. This method reinforces the understanding of sound differences and supports the child in correcting specific speech errors. It also helps to generalize learning to different contexts, as the child begins to understand how changing one phoneme can alter meaning and function within language. While the other strategies might have their merits in certain contexts or with particular types of sound errors, they do not provide the same level of targeted intervention that addresses the broad spectrum of errors by focusing on phonological rules and contrasts, which is critical for children facing multiple speech-production challenges.

The most effective strategy for treating a child with multiple speech-production errors involves delineating the phonological processes at play and addressing them using minimal-contrast pairs. This approach is grounded in understanding the underlying patterns of errors and the phonological processes that may contribute to the child’s speech. By identifying these processes, the speech-language pathologist Can specifically target the key aspects of the child's speech system that need intervention.

Using minimal-contrast pairs allows the child to hear and produce sounds that are similar yet differ sufficiently to highlight the distinction between them. This method reinforces the understanding of sound differences and supports the child in correcting specific speech errors. It also helps to generalize learning to different contexts, as the child begins to understand how changing one phoneme can alter meaning and function within language.

While the other strategies might have their merits in certain contexts or with particular types of sound errors, they do not provide the same level of targeted intervention that addresses the broad spectrum of errors by focusing on phonological rules and contrasts, which is critical for children facing multiple speech-production challenges.