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.
Short Lingua Frenum and /r/ Therapy
By Pam Marshalla
Q: I have several students that have distorted /r/’s and short lingua frenums. I am having trouble and would like some advice.
We cannot teach what I call a “Tip R” (the Retroflex R) with a short lingua frenum, but we can teach a “Back R.” However, the Back R is more difficult to do for most students. I would continue with the Back R with an emphasis on the Butterfly Position as described in my book Successful R Therapy, but I would also recommend that the frenums be cut. Your concern about the frenum should stretch further than speech. I have posted a sample letter to the physician regarding the short lingua frenum on this website. See my post, Frenectomy: Sample Physician Referral Letter.
The link for the sample physician letter does not work.
The link has been fixed; thank you!