General and nonlinear phonological intervention perspectives for a child with a resistant phonological impairment

Abstract

This paper describes an intervention plan for a child with a resistant phonological impairment. The plan first addresses factors and intervention strategies associated with the phonological impairment: a history of otitis media, attention deficit, learning difficulties, language delay, oral-motor dysfunction and environmental factors. A phonological intervention plan is then proposed that is based on a nonlinear phonological analysis and supported by the Computerized Articulation and Phonology Evaluation System program. Nonlinear analysis identifies the child’s strengths and needs at all levels of the phonological hierarchy from the phrase to the individual manner, place and laryngeal features. Immediate target selection balances structural and segmental (feature) needs, and the context of intervention suggested by associated factors.