Praxis SLP Licensure Exam

A common treatment approach for children showing phonological errors is to?

1. Target all phonemic errors at once

2. Focus on stimulable sounds only

3. Ignore errors as children grow

4. Utilize only auditory prompts

The correct answer is: Focus on stimulable sounds only

Focusing on stimulable sounds is an effective approach in treating children with phonological errors. Stimulable sounds are those that a child can produce with some degree of success when prompted, even if they are not correctly produced in spontaneous speech. By targeting these sounds, the child can experience immediate success, which can enhance motivation and confidence during therapy. This strategy allows for the gradual build-up of skills, as the child is more likely to generalize the correct production of these sounds to their everyday speech. Moreover, focusing on stimulable sounds is supported by the principles of phonological treatment and is aligned with the concept of "natural order" and developmental norms. Targeting sounds that children can physically produce makes therapy more efficient and effective, as it lays a foundation for correct articulation of more challenging sounds later on. This approach contrasts with other options that may not provide as structured or effective a path to improvement. Targeting all phonemic errors at once can be overwhelming for the child, while ignoring errors as children grow could result in persistent speech difficulties. Additionally, relying solely on auditory prompts limits the variety of learning modalities that can aid in speech sound acquisition.