SPEECH THERAPY FOR all ages
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PROMPT THERAPY
PROMPT (Prompting Restructuring of Oral Motor Phonetic Targets) Therapy uses a systematic manipulation of tactual-kinesthetic-proprioceptive input to oral-motor structures to restructure motor-speech targets. This mulitsensory approach to speech production has proven to be effective for individuals exhibiting delayed and disordered motor speech development, when traditional therapy (utilizing auditory and visual prompting) yields minimal progress. Clients receive tactile-kinesthetic and auditory feedback, the most important sensory systems for learning to talk. PROMPT applies perspectives across several disciplines, including physical-sensory, social-emotional, and cognitive-linguistic domains.
Who can benefit from PROMPT therapy?
Children and adults exhibiting motor speech disorders as a result of low muscle tone, Apraxia, Cerebral Palsy, Down's Syndrome, Stroke, and phonological disorders often respond well to PROMPT therapy. To date, the system has been used with phonological, developmentally delayed, dysarthric, dispraxic, hearing impaired, autistic spectum and fluency disorders. How flexible and well the PROMPT system works will be dependent on the knowledge and skill of the clinician.
What does PROMPT therapy entail?
Target sounds, vowels and consonants, and particular movement patterns are determined via a systems analysis. Target words and phrases (or lexicon) are derived from these target sounds and become the basis for activities in treatment sessions. The clinician will use a varying levels of PROMPT, depending on the skills of the child. Activities provide meaningful and functional contexts to allow for high levels of repetition within treatment sessions and in the home environment. Mass practice of target lexicon allows for the development of muscle memory so that motor speech production becomes more automatic.
How do I know if a clinician is qualified to do PROMPT therapy?
The PROMPT Institute offers three courses, level 1 (Technique), level 2 (Bridging), and level 3 (a four-month video-taped project). A speech pathologist who has completed the first or second level of PROMPT courses is considered PROMPT trained. If a clinician's video tape is evaluated by the PROMPT institute and determined to meet the criteria for certification, that clinician is then considered a certified PROMPT clinician. Although there are many PROMPT trained clinicians, working with a PROMPT certified speech pathologist is the only way to ensure appropriate and effective use of the system for optimal results.
How can I carry over skills my child learns in PROMPT therapy?
Target sounds and lexicon should be shared with the child's family, to ensure a high level of practice over a variety of settings. In addition, parameter prompts may be taught to the parents to provide jaw stabilization and to cue broad movements. Home programs and parent training are available to families looking to carry-over PROMPT strategies worked on with your child. Contact Shannon DuPuis, MS CCC-SLP PC for more information.