Autism Therapy: peer-reviewed

Children on the autism spectrum with speech difficulties now have a new tool to help them with pronunciation. Speech Buddies are “five pen-size devices with different rubber tips that act as targets, helping kids (and adults) place their tongue accurately to pronounce five tricky sounds: R, S, L, CH and SH.” In the past, speech and language therapists have used items such as tongue depressors and kitchen spoons or straws. Denise Dougherty, president of American Academy of Private Practice in Speech Pathology and Audiology, says Speech Buddies have shortened therapy time for the children she works with. Research done with Speech Buddies has yet to be peer-reviewed, but a number of studies have found that the tools work twice as quickly as traditional methods.

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