NEWSLETTER #3: NORMAL RATE

This is the third in a series of semi-regular monthly newsletters suggesting helpful tips for remediation of articulation/phonology disorders. If you missed previous newsletters, they are on my website: https://satpac.com/newsletter.

This issue of the newsletter will focus on another element of my approach which is normal rate. The SATPAC Approach is based on the idea that when we as SLPs work to remediate sounds/phonological processes, the therapy should be as close to conversational speech as possible and to include the elements that we use in conversational speech (i.e., coarticulation, normal rate, natural prosody, etc.).

Early in my career I was practicing the /s/ sound with a student and we were working on sentences. He was saying them at a slow rate: I wash with sssoap. I like to sssing. The bell rang and he said in at a normal rate: Thee you later Mithter Thackth–Itth time for retheth!

Realizing that it is necessary to begin at the level where the student’s skills are, we often have to begin at a slow rate. However, the goal needs to be to practice at the same conversational rate that the student speaks. Having supervised many SLPs through the years, I’ve noticed that consistently SLPs practice too slowly and consequently, transfer doesn’t happen.

With SATPAC, I follow a 3-part approach. First the target sound is established (Establishment Phase) in one context (for /s/ I frequently use the nonword BEETSEET). It is repeated over and over until the student is 95% accurate. Then the second step uses the target sound in many different contexts. In SATPAC, this is known as the Practice Phase. The student builds up to a conversational rate practicing systematic lists (140 beats per minute using a metronome). The third step is the Generalization/Transfer Phase where the student is now using his skill to practice phrases, sentences and conversation–all at a normal conversational rate.

If you have your students practice at a conversational rate, you will be pleased by how much quicker they transfer their skills into conversation.

Stephen Sacks

SATPAC Speech

To see details about /r/ and /s/ remediation and more information about my approach, I offer free ASHA CEUs on my website or you are welcome to just watch the presentation.