Speech Therapy Vowels

English has many vowels and diphthongs but they are often overlooked during speech therapy. 

This isn't always done out of neglect. Most children with speech and language disorders are able to say vowels correctly. However, this isn't always the case. 

Also, vowels can help us shape consonants!

Keeping reading to find out what I am talking about.

Why bother with vowels?!

Since most children start babbling vowels as infants and usually don't need direct teaching with vowels, why do we care about them in speech therapy?

Well, I can think of at least 2 reasons.

1. Children with apraxia often have trouble with vowels, and when this happens, there aren't a lot of materials out there for you (I'm here to change that!).
2. Vowels can help us shape/facilitate consonants (keeping reading for more on that).

Start With The Basics

First, we need comprehensive word lists to make materials, review vowels, and find stimuli. Below I have a word list for each vowel.

• rounded - vowels are produced with rounded lips
• unrounded - vowels are produced with unrounded lips
• front - vowels are produced in the front of the mouth
• central - vowels are produced in the middle of the mouth
• back - vowels are produced in the back of the mouth
• close- indicates closed mouth, minimal jaw grading
• mid - indicates mouth somewhat open, medium jaw grading
• open - indicates mouth is open, max jaw grading 

Shape/Facilitate Consonants Using Vowels

If a child can say vowels correctly, you can use that!

• placement of tongue in mouth to help facilitate certain consonants
• jaw grading, how open/closed the mouth is when saying a vowel can help shape certain consonants

Below is a chart indicating if a vowel is produced in the front, middle/central, and/or back of the mouth.

Use this! 

• Back vowels can help facilitate velar sounds such as /k/ and /g/. You can pick words like "hog" or "cough"
• Front vowels can help facilitate alveolar sounds such as /t/, /d/, /s/, and /n/. You can use words like "sit."

Below is a chart indicating if a vowel is produced with the mouth closed, somewhat open, or fully opened.

Use this!

• high vowels - you can use them to target alveolar sounds since the jaw is up!
• low vowels - you can use them to keep the jaw open to facilitate velar sounds

Below is a chart indicating if a vowel is produced with rounded or unrounded lips.

I use these all the time!

• Encourage lip rounding by pairing "sh" and "ch" with rounded vowels
• Sometimes a child is rounding their lips and you don't want them to! For this, use words with unrounded vowels.

Vowel Materials

 There is a major need for good vowel speech therapy materials!

These are the new additions at Speech Therapy Talk Membership.

Members, please click below to access your materials.

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If you are interested in joining, please click below

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References:

• IPA Vowel Chart