Remediation of /r/ and /s/

 We are talking the trickiest of the tricky when we talk about working on remediating the 

/s/ and /r/ sounds.  As middle school therapists this is usually all we see in terms of articulation needs and what we dread most.

     With the initiation of RTI in one of the last schools I worked with also came the directive that we wouldn’t see any kids in the middle school for articulation unless they were basically unintelligible.  First I jumped for joy, no more /r/’s or /s/’s.  Well that was fine until I got into their classrooms and heard how some of the kids sounded.  Knowing that I might make a difference in their lives, I felt bad that I wasn’t able to work with them.  

    With a new job and new direction, I find myself in need of brushing up on my articulation skills.  Specifically with those pesky hard to remediate sounds of /s/ and /r/.  I’ve just spent three hours in a conference lead by Char Boshart (we have another 2 1/2 hours to go).  So far I like the information I’m getting.  Really nothing new but broken down into managable order and steps to follow.  You need refreshers every once in awhile. 

     I guess as I am writing this I realize that Ms. Boshart hasn’t gone out and created the “program of the month.”  She has taken what we’ve all be taught in terms of anatomy  and articulation, researched all of it and applied her techniques.  That seems to be the case anyway.

     Her procedure and logic for /s/ sounds appropriate.  On to /r/ this afternoon.  Hope I can pick up some tips.  I have a couple of significant cases.  If Ms. Boshart techniques work and my students improve....... I would look like super therapist.


I'll let you know about how my afternoon works out......