Comments on: Tongue Tip Trouble- Fronting /t/ for /k/

By: BeckyWanca

BeckyWanca — Wed, 24 Mar 2010 00:24:11 +0000

It depends on the child. Once the productions are consistently correct at the word level and we are working at the phrase or sentence level in one position, I’ll check for stimulability in the other positions. Sometimes the carry over to different positions is easy and we can jump pretty quickly to sentences in all positions. Sometimes it is too confusing for the child so I’ll stick with one position until it is really solid and then start on the next.

By: Gail Kainen

Gail Kainen — Wed, 24 Mar 2010 00:17:40 +0000

Do you work on words , phrases, sentences in the initial position, then procede to final, medial etc. rather than words, phrases, then sentences in all positions?

By: `Micki

`Micki — Wed, 24 Feb 2010 20:13:37 +0000

I have been working with a student with the same problem. I was able to get her to say a correct /k/ sound when she said words such as cute, curious, cube, etc. Now she is able to say /k/ in the final position, but is still having difficulty with initial /k/. She can hold her tongue down and say the /k/ correctly, but her response is not automatic.

By: Blair

Blair — Thu, 04 Feb 2010 01:33:32 +0000

I also use the “open mouth wide” technique and it has worked well.

By: Cheryl

Cheryl — Tue, 15 Dec 2009 01:02:21 +0000

I have been successful in decreasing fronting behaviors by having the child open their mouth wide and working from K sound combined with low vowels, progressing to high vowels word attempts. The gravity trick does really work, I have tried it with a recliner in the child’s home. A small piece of candy held in place under the truck has proven to be somewhat successful for K sound production.

By: Susan

Susan — Sun, 08 Nov 2009 18:13:28 +0000

I am an SLP in the school system. Something else you might try is having the child look up toward the ceiling and say the /k/ in isolation. Since /k/ is a back sound, the tongue naturally goes back when looking up. This will help the child with placement, later have him look at you and make the same sound. Usually this works. Be patient! Keep trying.

By: Stephanie

Stephanie — Mon, 26 Oct 2009 17:56:40 +0000

haha, and by children I mean clients!

By: Stephanie

Stephanie — Mon, 26 Oct 2009 17:56:13 +0000

I have two children (siblings) who front for all their velars. I’ve tried the depressor idea, and they simply pull their tongue back and over the depressor to touch their teeth. I’m afraid that if I put it any further back I’ll initiate the gag reflex! I’ve tried having them “feel” the sound, after modeling and having them feel my throat when I produce the sound. I have also told them to keep their mouth open and touch the back of their mouth with the back of their tongue. They just can’t seem to get that position! Any other ideas?! I’m at a loss, and I’ve talked with other SLPs who don’t have much else to suggest.

By: Esther

Esther — Tue, 12 May 2009 04:27:33 +0000

I am not a speech therapist but a homeschooling mom who has a passion to help other children with their reading and speech. Thank you so much for this lovely site. It has helped me tremendously with a friends daughter.
How can I help this little girl say TR instead of CH eg train is pronounced as chrain.
Thank you very much and looking forward hearing from you.
Esther