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.
Postvocalic /r/
By Pam Marshalla
Q: My client has an initial position /r/. But I’m having a difficult time getting it in final position. How can I get this final /r/?
Use his initial /r/ to teach the final /r/. I do it like this:
- Select a word that starts with /r/ that he can say well, like “rock”. And select a word that ends in /r/ that he cannot say, like “car.”
- Have the client say them in sequence: “Car-Rock.”
- The trick is to have the client DELETE his incorrect final /r/ in “car.” He will say “Ca…Rock.” Now he has the sequence. Have him say this sequence slowly and carefully, listening to the sequence.
- Now teach him to blend the vowel of “c…” with the /r/ of “rock.” Prolong the vowel in “ca…,” and teach him to slide from the vowel to the /r/ in “rock.” Teach him to make the sequence seamless: “Caaaaaarock.”
- Then drop the “ock” from “rock,” and the client will say “car.”