Repeating Short Words

SKILL: Talking

DIFFICULTY: 1/5

LEVELS: 3, based on syllable structure

BRIEF RATIONALE: This treatment uses integral stimulation to work on repeating short words.

In Repeating Short Words, you will select an initial sound to focus on. Now you can see the sounds you've already addressed.

Learn to make the selected sound in isolation (i.e. on its own) by watching the mouth model and following the placement cues. Use the audio button to hear the cues aloud.

When you're ready, you will watch, listen, and say a word with support by following this sequence:

• WATCH & LISTEN: The animated model will say the target word. The videos in this treatment can be replayed as needed.
• SAY IT TOGETHER: You will say the target word in chorus with the model.
• SAY IT AGAIN: You will say the target word while the model's sound fades out.
• ON YOUR OWN: You will say the target word with a visual model only. Record the production to receive feedback. You can move on to the next step, or try again if you did not get the production correct.
  • If speech recognition isn't right for you, you can use the self-scoring version of this treatment
• SAY IT 5X: You will indicate that you've said the target word 5x. There is the option to replay the audio of the target word as needed.

Note: For members who are looking for Repeating Single-Syllable Words, this is the updated version that has replaced it. This new treatment adds levels, scoring, articulatory instructions, and speech recognition along with the ability to assign specific sounds for homework.

FOR THE CLINICIAN: This articulatory-kinematic treatment uses an integral stimulation approach ("listen to me, watch me, do what I do") for acquired apraxia of speech. It incorporates the following principles of motor learning:

• Intense practice- complete unlimited trials in the Virtual Rehab Center
• Variable practice- practice the target sound in different syllable shapes
• Blocked vs random practice- start with blocked practice of each syllable shape (e.g. CV, CV, CV, CVC, CVC, CVC) and advance to random practice (e.g. CVC, CV, cluster, CV, CVC)
• Feedback of results- see the accuracy of productions via speech recognition
• Low frequency feedback- only receive sound-level feedback on the On Your Own step
• Delayed feedback- you must press submit after producing the recorded word for a short delay

Selected References:

1. Bislick, L. (n.d.). Principles of Motor Learning and Apraxia of Speech Treatment. Medbridge. Retrieved 2025, from https://www.medbridge.com/courses/details/principles-of-motor-learning-and-apraxia-of-speech-treatment-lauren-bislick-slp.
2. Munasinghe, T. U., Ariyasena, A. D., & Siriwardhana, D. D. (2023). Speech therapy interventions for acquired apraxia of speech: An updated systematic review. American Journal of Speech-Language Pathology, 32(3), 1336–1359. https://doi.org/10.1044/2022_ajslp-21-00236