This advice-column-style blog for SLPs was authored by Pam Marshalla from 2006 to 2015, the archives of which can be explored here. Use the extensive keywords list found in the right-hand column (on mobile: at the bottom of the page) to browse specific topics, or use the search feature to locate specific words or phrases throughout the entire blog.
Tongue-Tip Interference During /p/ and /b/ Productions
By Pam Marshalla
Q: My client produces a /t/ at the same time he says /p/. And he produces /d/ at the same time he says /b/. How can I prevent the tongue from elevating during /p/ and /b/?
You need to inhibit tongue tip elevation. It might be done like this:
- Place a tongue depressor into the mouth, straight in from the front at midline, so that the blade sits on top of the front of the tongue.
- With the tongue depressor in place, have the client say /b/ or /p/. The tongue depressor will allow the lips to articulation. And it will prevent the tip from elevating.
The tongue depressor will interfere with the acoustic quality a little bit at first. Build the concept of “Use your lips” and “Don’t use your tongue.” Fade use of the tongue depressor.