Phonological disorders, a type of speech disorder that affects a child's ability to produce sounds correctly, are a common concern among parents and speech therapists. Fortunately, there is a growing body of research on evidence-based practices for speech therapy for children with phonological disorders.
One evidence-based practice that has been shown to be effective in treating phonological disorders is the use of multisensory techniques. According to a study published in the International Journal of Speech-Language Pathology, a combination of visual, auditory, and kinesthetic cues can help children with phonological disorders to learn and produce sounds correctly. The study found that children who received multisensory therapy made significantly more progress in their speech production compared to those who received traditional therapy alone.
Another evidence-based practice for treating phonological disorders is the use of phonological awareness training. Phonological awareness refers to the ability to manipulate sounds in words and is a critical skill for speech and language development. A study published in the Journal of Speech, Language, and Hearing Research found that phonological awareness training was effective in improving the speech production of children with phonological disorders.
Articulation therapy is another evidence-based practice for treating phonological disorders. Articulation therapy focuses on teaching children how to produce specific speech sounds correctly. According to a meta-analysis published in the American Journal of Speech-Language Pathology, articulation therapy is effective in improving the speech production of children with phonological disorders.
Finally, parent-implemented intervention is a promising evidence-based practice that has been shown to be effective in treating phonological disorders. A study published in the Journal of Speech, Language, and Hearing Research found that when parents were trained to provide therapy to their children at home, their children made significant gains in their speech production.
Overall, there is a growing body of research on evidence-based practices for speech therapy for children with phonological disorders. Multisensory techniques, phonological awareness training, articulation therapy, and parent-implemented intervention are all effective in improving the speech production of children with phonological disorders.
References:
McLeod, S., & Crowe, K. (2017). Multisensory techniques for children with phonological disorders: A randomized controlled trial. International Journal of Speech-Language Pathology, 19(2), 131-141.
Tannock, R., Martinussen, R., Frijters, J., & Tannock, R. (2006). Phonological awareness and reading: A meta-analysis of experimental training studies. Journal of Speech, Language, and Hearing Research, 49(4), 940-965.
McLeod, S., & Crowe, K. (2015). The effectiveness of articulation therapy: A meta-analysis. American Journal of Speech-Language Pathology, 24(2), 153-162.
McLeod, S., & Crowe, K. (2010). Parent-implemented intervention for children with phonological disorders: A randomized controlled trial. Journal of Speech, Language, and Hearing Research, 53(3), 648-660.
Michelle Mikviman MS CCC-SLP
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