Overview
This lecture covers the Multiple Oppositions approach for children with speech sound disorders, focusing on practical implementation, target selection, dosage, generalization, and tools.
Introduction to Multiple Oppositions
- Multiple Oppositions is a therapy approach for children with extensive sound errors and phoneme collapses.
- It is ideal for children who substitute one sound for many, rather than just isolated errors.
- Children with milder errors or only a few error patterns may benefit from minimal pairs therapy instead.
Target Selection and Phoneme Collapse
- Multiple Oppositions requires choosing up to four target sounds maximally different from each other and from the child’s error.
- "Distance metric" involves selecting sounds with the greatest phonetic distance for optimal learning.
- Tools like phoneme collapse worksheets and place-voice-manner charts help systematically organize errors and targets.
- Collapses are analyzed vertically by manner (stops, fricatives, etc.), place, and voicing.
Treatment Implementation
- Therapy contrasts the child’s consistent error with each target sound (e.g., "dee" vs. "key," "dee" vs. "chee," etc.).
- Treatment phases start with imitation, then progress to spontaneous production and conversational activities.
- Therapy should address both articulation (production) and phonological (rule) aspects of speech.
Dosage, Generalization, and Tools
- Aim for 50-60 practice trials in 30 minutes; minimum is 100 trials per session where possible.
- Both narrow (untrained words) and broad (conversational speech) generalization should be measured.
- Data sheets and digital tools/apps (like the SKIP app) can track progress and generate word lists.
- If a child cannot produce a target sound, use tailored articulation practice (e.g., 20 CV repetitions) before reintroducing oppositions.
Parent and School Involvement
- Parent and teacher training, explicit instructions, and resource sharing improve home/school practice.
- Short videos or written communication can help support home practice when regular therapy isn’t possible.
Key Terms & Definitions
- Multiple Oppositions — An intervention contrasting one error sound with multiple target sounds at once.
- Phoneme Collapse — When a child substitutes one sound for several target sounds.
- Distance Metric — The method of selecting targets maximally different from the error and each other.
- Generalization — Carryover of correct production to new words or spontaneous speech.
- Narrow Generalization — Correct production in untrained probe words.
- Broad Generalization — Correct production in spontaneous conversational speech.
Action Items / Next Steps
- Review phoneme collapse worksheets and place-voice-manner charts for target selection.
- Access the SKIP app or similar tools to streamline word list generation and data tracking.
- Aim for at least 50-60 practice trials per 30-minute session.
- Train parents and teachers with explicit guidance and use digital resources as needed.
- Consult provided supplemental materials and research articles for further details.