• Articulation/Speech
     
     
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    DID YOU KNOW?
    There are several sounds that occur frequently when we speak. The following sounds------/ r, s , t, l, n, e, /  are very common sounds in conversational speech. 
     
    An articulation disorder means the student is unable to produce age appropriate sounds when speaking. 
     
     
    Speech therapy teaches modification and shaping of sounds. Students learn why incorrect placement and movement of lips, tongue, and teeth lead to incorrect sound production. 
     
     
    An articulation disorder makes it difficult for a student to communicate throughout the school day. Many students with unclear speech become frustrated with communication attempts because they are not understood when speaking to others.  This can happen in the classroom, hallway, cafeteria or other social situations. 
      
    I teach a variety of techniques in speech class that help with articulation skills. This could include any of the following during structured practice:
     
    • Awareness of speech helpers used for each sound
    • Sound discrimination 
    • Proper sound formation vs. incorrect sound formation
    • Mirror training
    • Placement cues
    • Immediate feedback
    • Oral-motor training (tongue depressors, straws, flossers, mirror, dental model of upper and lower teeth).
     
    The key to changing a speech pattern is correcting sound placement within the mouth.