Towards Generalization: Intrinsic Targets in Therapy for Speech Sound Disorders

Question-and-answer flashcards summarizing key concepts on intrinsic targets, traditional versus complexity approaches, principles of motor learning, generalization methods, family involvement, and data tracking in speech sound disorder therapy.

What percentage of school-based SLPs reported working with speech sound disorders (SSDs) in ASHA’s 2020 report?

89 %.

According to Overby et al. (2012), poor speech-sound production skills in kindergarten are associated with lower outcomes in what academic area?

Literacy.

At which linguistic level do articulation errors occur?

The phonetic level—errors in motor production of individual sounds.

At which linguistic level do phonological errors occur?

The phonemic level—language-based errors that change word meaning.

Who created the Traditional Approach to articulation therapy and in what year?

Charles Van Riper, 1939.

What is the primary focus of the Traditional (Van Riper) Approach?

Motor production of speech sounds in a developmental progression.

List the steps of the traditional articulation hierarchy from easiest to hardest.

Auditory discrimination, isolation, syllables, words, phrases, sentences, stories, structured conversation, unstructured conversation (generalization).

Define an extrinsic target in speech therapy.

A target chosen solely to elicit a specific sound (e.g., flash-card word lists) outside a meaningful context.

Define an intrinsic target in speech therapy.

A target that elicits a specific sound naturally within the context of a functional or play-based activity.

Give one key benefit of using intrinsic targets over extrinsic targets.

They increase the number of meaningful trials while reducing client pressure, supporting natural generalization.

According to Harold (2013), why does play-based, story-like therapy improve learning?

It taps episodic memory, creating deeper connections for target sounds.

What is meant by the phrase “waiting-room speech” in relation to generalization?

Clients can produce target sounds outside the therapy room—in home, school, and community settings.

Name three methods that support generalization mentioned in the lecture.

Contextual practice, transfer training, and involving families/caregivers.

What did Rvachew et al. (2021) find about practice accuracy and generalization?

High in-session accuracy is not always necessary; transfer and retention can occur without over-practice.

State the central idea of the Complexity Approach (Gierut et al., 1996).

Targeting later-developing, complex sounds can trigger system-wide change to earlier sounds.

How does stimulability influence target selection according to Rvachew (2011)?

Children progress better when targets are within their zone of proximal development and are at least somewhat stimulable.

What is self-monitoring and how does it aid generalization?

Teaching clients to judge their own productions; research shows it facilitates carry-over of correct sounds.

According to Johnson & Johnson (1972), monitoring whose speech can improve a child’s generalization?

Monitoring other people’s speech (e.g., peers or family).

Maas et al. (2008) separate motor learning into which three outcomes?

Acquisition, retention, and transfer.

Which practice schedule is emphasized for better transfer: massed or distributed?

Distributed practice.

What does an internal locus of control mean for a child in speech therapy?

The child is an active, motivated participant who understands and values the therapy goals, leading to greater gains.

Aravind’s research found what relationship between home-practice hours and goal attainment?

Each additional hour of home practice yielded an approximate 7 % increase in goal attainment.

Name two specific strategies suggested for involving families in SSD therapy.

‘Word of the week’ micro-practice and providing very specific home instructions.

Why should data be collected on both cued and spontaneous productions from the beginning?

To compare progress across hierarchy levels and document early generalization.

What does the term “dynamic targets” refer to in this lecture?

Regularly shifting practice level up or down the hierarchy based on real-time performance data.

Identify one key factor (other than severity) that contributes to therapy success according to the lecture.

Family/environmental support OR client motivation.

What three phases did Maas et al. (2008) outline for structuring a therapy session under Principles of Motor Learning (PML)?

Pre-practice, principles of practice, and principles of feedback.

Give an example of contextual practice that incorporates an intrinsic target for /s/.

Having ‘Sleepy Sue’ make silly ‘soup’ or ‘salad,’ naming each ingredient with /s/ words during play.

What is the main limitation of a purely vertical (drill-based) approach according to the lecture?

It may not promote long-term, generalized improvement across contexts.

Why is graphing progress (e.g., for /k/ in different contexts) recommended?

Visual data helps clinicians and families see gains, compare hierarchy levels, and adjust targets strategically.