Which sound should be selected for initial speech intervention based on developmental norms?

Which sound should be selected for initial speech intervention based on developmental norms?

• A. /s/ as a frequently used consonant
• B. /ʃ/ due to its later developmental age
• C. /k/ since it is one of the earlier developed sounds
• D. /tʃ/ as a more complex sound

Answer: (C)

Selecting the sound /k/ for initial speech intervention aligns with developmental norms because it is one of the earlier consonant sounds acquired by children. Typically, children start producing sounds such as /m/, /p/, /b/, /t/, and /k/ by the age of 3. These sounds are considered developmentally appropriate for early speech intervention. Using /k/ as a target in therapy is beneficial since it is a voiceless velar plosive, meaning it is produced in the back of the mouth and requires less complexity in terms of articulation compared to some other sounds. This makes it easier for children to learn and produce correctly. When considering the developmental trajectory of speech sounds, targeting /k/ can help build a foundation for more complex sounds as the child progresses in their speech abilities. Therefore, focusing on early-acquired sounds like /k/ can facilitate positive outcomes and encourage more successful speech production.

Selecting the sound /k/ for initial speech intervention aligns with developmental norms because it is one of the earlier consonant sounds acquired by children. Typically, children start producing sounds such as /m/, /p/, /b/, /t/, and /k/ by the age of 3. These sounds are considered developmentally appropriate for early speech intervention.

Using /k/ as a target in therapy is beneficial since it is a voiceless velar plosive, meaning it is produced in the back of the mouth and requires less complexity in terms of articulation compared to some other sounds. This makes it easier for children to learn and produce correctly.

When considering the developmental trajectory of speech sounds, targeting /k/ can help build a foundation for more complex sounds as the child progresses in their speech abilities. Therefore, focusing on early-acquired sounds like /k/ can facilitate positive outcomes and encourage more successful speech production.