Vowels and Prosody: Building Blocks for Intelligibility

Two of the defining characteristics of Childhood Apraxia of Speech include vowel distortions and prosodic errors. Speech intelligibility depends heavily on the accuracy of vowels, whereas cues for emotion, intention, and social meaning are carried through prosodic intonation. Thus there is a strong case to target these skills early in treatment. Without them a child is at risk for developing unnatural-sounding speech that is much more difficult to correct later in childhood.

Unfortunately, standardized tests are not ideal tools for assessing vowels. By using a dynamic assessment, therapists can identify a child’s vowel repertoire and determine stimulability. A variety of visual, verbal, and tactile cueing strategies can help shape movement gestures to improve vowel production. However, putting the correct sounds in the right order doesn’t capture the entire picture of speech production. The ability to vary prosodic intonation is critical in conveying emotion, intention, and even semantic meanings of language. Therapists need a variety of tools to be able to address these important aspects of speech and communication.

This presentation will cover a variety of strategies for targeting vowels and prosody, including selection of vowel sounds to target based on the results of dynamic assessment and utilizing cueing techniques for vowel shape involving touch, gesture, and gross motor cues. It will also cover how to target prosody from the earliest stages of treatment.

Following this course, participants will be able to:

1. Prioritize stimulable vowels in a child’s repertoire to target.
2. Utilize 3 strategies and cueing techniques to shape vowels.
3. Implement 3 strategies and cueing techniques to address and improve prosody.

This course meets the requirement for Professional Development hours towards your ASHA renewal since it is approved by TSHA! You can count these hours towards ASHA renewal when you submit your Compliance Form.