August 23, 2012
Last month I was contacted by Articulate Technologies, Inc., located in San Fransisco, California, and asked if I would be interested in reviewing their product, Speech Buddies. I was thrilled to accept the invitation, especially since I had just started working with a nine-year-old boy (on my private therapy summer caseload) that I thought might be the perfect candidate for trying out this tool!! The company very generously sent me a complete set of instruments. Speech Buddies are a set of tools designed specifically for teaching placement for remediation of specific speech sounds. The tools are fitted into a very nicely designed case with color-coded and padded spaces for each of the five instruments. Take a look at the Speech Buddies detailed website for specific product information. Additionally, check out the Speech Buddies blog for informative daily posts related to the topics of speech, language and hearing.
My client, Jimmy, is a bright and charming nine-year-old boy who has been attending speech therapy for two years in the school setting. His school therapist addressed the /s/ and /l/ sounds, which he can now use successfully in carryover, however, he continues to be challenged by the dreaded /r/ sound. I have been seeing Jimmy on a weekly basis during July and August for one-hour sessions. I was so excited to try out Speech Buddies and see if it could be the magical “fix” for an ailing /r/. Over the course of the past few weeks, I have incorporated the Speech Buddies tool for /r/ into my therapy repertoire. Progress has been slow, but steady, and I have been pleased with the results of this new therapy aid so far. **Please note that individual results will vary. This is the account of one student’s experience with this device. Many variables such as age, target sound addressed, motivation and willingness of the client, consistency/support at home, developmental readiness, and complexity of speech errors all need to be taken into consideration. Keep in mind that Speech Buddies is not recommended for children under four years of age.
What I found unique and effective about the Speech Buddies device is the ability to finally have a way to teach correct placement of the /r/ in a tactile manner that would provide instant feedback for the therapist and client. The /r/ tool consists of a flexible rubber piece that curls at the tip. The client is required to use his/her tongue to uncurl the tip, allowing the tongue to pull back into the proper position necessary for a retroflexed /r/. If the rubber tip uncoils properly it will provide automatic feedback for correct tongue up/back /r/ placement. Once proper placement is achieved, my client then vocalized the /r/ sound with the device in his mouth. I had Jimmy practice uncoiling the tip first, then uncoiling and producing an /r/. After practicing /r/with the device in the mouth, I removed it and had him repeat an initial position /r/ word.
Here is a short video demonstrating how we used the Speech Buddies device in one of our early sessions. Please note that we are also working to improve the retraction of his lips (I use the key phrase “bite and smile” to cue this positioning. ) Jimmy is able to use a better retroflexed position with the device, however, I am still finding it difficult for him to flatten the sides of his tongue. The device is not able to get this positioning in place. The tool also tends to cause some distortion while still in the mouth. The tool needs to be removed in order to further shape the sound. As a result, his /r/ sound is fair during isolated production with the tool but it becomes much clearer at the word level with the tool removed. I feel the reinforcement of placement with the tool has helped his word-level production.
I like the fact that there are finally devices (besides the flavored tongue blade, mirrors, straws, etc.) that can help elicit some of the most challenging of sounds (R, S, L, SH, CH). In addition, these tools enable good placement and production while vocalizing meaningful sounds, syllables, and words (unlike oral-motor exercises which address strengthening and placement but not meaningful speech production).
I was also pleased by my client’s feedback and reaction to the name “Speech Buddies”—he thought it sounded “fun” and “cool” and was immediately interested in trying it out without any anxiety. ( I have had clients react with fear and hesitation at the sight of a tongue blade—even the yummy grape flavored ones.)
I would personally recommend this device to a parent who was working along with a speech therapist. I asked Jimmy’s mom to watch part of our sessions so that she could get a good grasp of how the tool should be utilized. I also reviewed “homework” exercises with her at the end of each session. I like that this product is parent-friendly, however, I would strongly suggest that a parent work along with the guidance of a certified speech pathologist. Speech Buddies has a link to Speech Buddies University which includes online word exercises to use at home or in the therapy setting. If you have a motivated parent who will work with their child at home, this tool may be helpful in achieving quicker success. The Speech Buddies website offers an option to email parents a list of practice words. I like using this option because it serves as a reminder in their inbox to practice at home with their kiddo.
Jimmy continues to make progress in our weekly therapy sessions. The Speech Buddies tool has most notably improved his placement and increased his awareness of how the tongue should move into the correct position. I have gradually started fading out the use of the instrument and instead hold it in front of his mouth as a reminder for correct placement. If necessary, I will place it back in his mouth to reinforce good positioning.
Suggestions: As a recommendation for future Speech Buddies upgrades, I would like to see an instrument with a disposable tip. I’m not sure if this is cost-effective but it would enable therapists to use the instrument with multiple clients with no concerns of cleaning or sanitizing. Note that the makers of Speech Buddies suggest washing the tool with soap and warm water and dipping in a solution of 70% isopropyl alcohol. The price tag for a complete set of tools is $299 and individual tools cost $150. If there was a way to make them more cost-effective, it may be more attainable for some parents and therapists.
I would highly recommend Speech Buddies to speech therapists who want to add a new form of technology to their therapy repertoire. I would also recommend it to motivated parents who want to help their child make progress at a quicker rate, especially if they have been attending speech therapy for a significant length of time with little or no success.
Have you used Speech Buddies or recommended them to a client?? Would you add Speech Buddies to your therapy repertoire? Are you a parent who has seen success while your child used this product? I would love to hear your thoughts. All feedback is welcomed!
Send your comments to rokesting@gmail.com
Rose Ann Kesting, M.A., CCC-SLP
