CONTROLLING SPEAKING RATE

Rationale: Use of a slowed-speaking rate enhances the spacing and timing of articulatory movement as well as the coordination and integration of respiratory, phonatory and articulatory systems necessary for the production of fluent speech.

Activities/Techniques:

  • Introduce the concept of a reduced, controlled speaking rate by attaching a meaningful name to it. "Turtle talk" and "slow, easy speech" are popular names. "Slowed rate" and "slowed speech" are more appropriate for the older client.

  • The clinician provides frequent models of reduced speaking rate. Emphasis is placed on smooth articulatory transitions, slightly prolonged consonants and vowels, and natural sounding intonation and stress patterns.

  • A delayed auditory feedback (DAF) can be used to facilitate a slowed rate of speech. The client may begin at a very slow rate and gradually increase to a level reasonable for fluency. The DAF is gradually faded and the slow rate is transferred to spontaneous speech.

  • Gestural cueing may be used during structured and unstructured activities to facilitate increased awareness and control over rate.
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