Core vocabulary intervention

Core vocabulary intervention establishes consistent word production for functional speech sound disorders (SSD) characterized by inconsistent pronunciation of the same lexical item, in the absence of childhood apraxia of speech (CAS). The intervention is suitable for children 2 years of age and older, including those from bilingual backgrounds and those with a cognitive disability. Speech pathologists see children for 30 minutes twice weekly for about 8 weeks. Daily practice, requiring support from caregivers, focuses on a specifically selected vocabulary of approximately 70 functionally powerful words. Each week, children learn to produce their best pronunciation of up to 10 of these words, consistently, in isolation and in connected speech. Nontreated probes measure generalization of consistency. Efficacy studies reveal gains in consistency and accuracy of speech production