Simultaneous Production: The First Step in DTTC

Full transcript

Nicole here, coming in from the NYU Motor Speech Lab with your Monday tidbit. So you have your client, you have your target word or movement gesture, and the first step would be to work on simultaneous production, meaning you and your client say the target word together. They're looking at you, they're right in your face: "Bye."

It seems easy. They won't always do it. It's weird. How often do we say words at the same time as other people? It feels uncomfortable sometimes, and we frequently have to cajole our clients into doing this with us.

If it's getting very challenging, there are two things I try. First, I take off the voicing. I'll say, "Let's just be silly and say this word without actually saying the word, but move our mouths." And then I slowly get them to do the voicing: "Bye." Remember, when we're in the simultaneous phase, it's really helpful to start with a slower production.

The second thing I do, sometimes, is with the kid who just wants to repeat it after you. They have no interest in saying it with you, but they keep repeating it, so I just go and say it with them. They go to say it, "Bye," and I'm like, "Bye." And then I say, "We said it together! Isn't that awesome? You just did that." I just trick them into saying it with me, and I give them a lot of really awesome feedback so they'll continue to do it.

I hope these suggestions have been helpful. I'll see you.