In the interest of safeguarding, the child has been referred to as ‘Poppy’ throughout the case study.
Background
Poppy has been working with our CALS, Jo, within schools from 05/11/2021, after presenting a speech, language and communication need. They have now received 13 therapy sessions with Chatterbug.
Our client had significant nasalisation that affected her production of /ʤ/ (judge) /ʃ/ (shush) and /ʧ/ (church).
How did Chatterbug help?
These sound productions have been the focus during CALS therapy sessions.
Poppy’s nasalisation meant we were required to redirect their airflow through her mouth rather than her nose. To do so, Jo advised she should pinch her nose when she produces these sounds. This method allowed Poppy to use the correct airflow when making the sound.
Once she could produce the sounds with the correct technique using the nose pinch, we were able to build them into sentences. The nose pinch method was successful, allowing the CALS and Poppy to find a method of removing it.
One of our Chatterbug values is being connected and collaborative, so Jo sought advice from one of our senior SLTs that had more experience with this issue. We could then provide the best possible intervention methods for Poppy without using the nose pinch.
Our senior SLT suggested visual feedback to aid her understanding of the airflow production. Holding a tissue over Poppy’s nose and mouth would show her the movement caused by the airflow and more easily locate this.
To move forward. Jo pinched the tissue over Poppy’s nose and told her to produce a hard [ch], [dg], or [sh] sound. By using the visual aid of the tissue, Jo was able to reduce the pressure of the nose pinch each time. Eventually, Poppy could produce the sounds with no nose pinching!
Our CALS slowly introduced them into sentences to confirm she could say them within context once this technique was completed, o.
Client progress to date
We have now discharged Poppy from our service after 13 therapy appointments and has age-appropriate speech.
What has our client said about their therapy?
Poppy is delighted with the progress she has made. She has continued to use the strategies they have learned to maintain their speech sounds and reduce naslisation, even after therapy has been completed.
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