Using the Cycles Approach in Speech Therapy

The Cycles Approach is a way to help children to improve phonological errors in their speech. 

While similar to Minimal Pairs, this is a more cyclical and sequential approach focusing on sound patterns and processes instead of individual sounds. 

This approach is suitable for children with many phonological processes and highly unintelligible speech. 

What are the benefits of the Cycles Approach? 

Barbara Hodson’s research showed us that children can improve their intelligibility faster by cycling through all of the different phonological processes that they need to target. Rather than working on one phonological process until it is mastered, you work on each phonological process for a set period of time and then move on to the next.

It’s more engaging for a child and working in this cyclical nature brings up the possibility of improvements on certain non-targeted sounds when you come back around to them. 

How does it work? 

A primary pattern of phonological error is noted and selected as the first cycle. Phonemes are chosen to be addressed based on this pattern. 

Once they’ve all been worked on within a cycle, the speech therapist will reassess which patterns need to be addressed in the next cycle. 

The Bjorem Speech cycles decks are designed for this type of phonological intervention. Learn more about the decks here. 

Conclusion

The cycles approach effectively supports children with highly unintelligible speech and multiple phonological patterns that need to be addressed. 

It takes a more cyclical direction moving children through various patterns and sounds to build on their intelligibility rather than focusing on one specific sound at a time. 

Whether you’re a parent, caregiver, teacher or Speech and Language Therapist, we have a range of Bjorem Speech Cycles Decks in our shop.

Receive a 5% discount on your first order by joining our mailing list. 

References

• https://www.bjoremspeech.com/blogs/bjorem-speech-blog/understanding-phonological-disorders-the-cycles-approach-vs-minimal-pairs-approach 
• https://www.speechandlanguagekids.com/how-to-use-the-cycles-approach-for-speech-therapy/ 
• https://www.bjoremspeech.com/blogs/bjorem-speech-blog/the-difference-between-bjorem-speech%C2%AE-minimal-pairs-decks-and-cycles-decks 
• Prezas, R. F., & Hodson, B. W. (2010). The cycles phonological remediation approach. In A. L. Williams, S. McLeod, & R. J. McCauley (Eds.), Interventions for speech sound disorders in children (pp. 137–158). Baltimore, MD: Brookes.