This is a motor-based approach developed by Dr. Edythe Strand. It uses the principles of motor learning to help the child maintain accurate oral movements. If you are thinking about adding this approach to your repertoire, be sure to take the free training.
This approach is appropriate for children 2 years and older presenting with moderate-severe Childhood Apraxia of Speech (CAS). It has been found to be appropriate for children with severe speech sound disorders, and other later-developing speech sound errors as well.
It is a motor-based approach and uses 5-10 words per session. When choosing targets think about these factors: movement patterns, vocal context and syllable shape.
The target words are produced slowly and at same time with clinician. Once simultaneous productions are correct, begin to change rate, stress and prosody while working on target words. The child must produce at least 10-20 trials using normal rate and varying prosody to move to direct imitation.
SLP says the word then child repeats it. Rate, stress and prosody will be changed while practicing targets. The child must produce at least 10-20 trials using normal rate and varying prosody to move to delayed imitation.
SLP says the target word then the child produces it after about 2 seconds. Continue to vary rate, stress and prosody with target words. The child must produce at least 10-20 trials using normal rate and varying proceed to move to random spontaneous production.
The SLP will probe targets in play or naturalistic speech settings.
Download DTTC Handout here
Duration will vary.
Access the free DTTC training here
Strand, E. A. (2020). Dynamic temporal and tactile cueing: A treatment strategy for childhood apraxia of speech. American Journal of Speech-Language Pathology, 29(1), 30–48. https://doi.org/10.1044/2019_ajslp-19-0005
Strand, E.A… (2021). Dynamic Temporal and Tactile Cueing. In A.L. Williams, S. McLeod, & R. J. McCauley (Eds.) Interventions for Speech Sound Disorders in Children (2nd ed., pp. 537-572). essay, Paul H. Brookes Publishing Co. .