Offered at Heartlight Healing Arts by: Lisa Brodjieski M.S. CCC-SLP

PROMPT® - "Prompts for Restructuring Oral-Muscular Phonetic Targets" is a tactile/kinesthetic/sensory based approach for re-organizing movement patterns resulting in better oral language production. The technique uses touch or tactile/kinesthetic/sensory input on the muscles of the jaw, lips, face and tongue (tongue or mylohyoid muscles are located under the chin). This input facilitates the development, or restructuring, of speech production. All input is done outside of the mouth. Sounds are not taught in isolation, but in syllables or words used for meaningful interactive communication.

The PROMPT®-trained speech-language pathologist helps to manually guide the oral musculature to produce sequences of sounds in words and sentences. The Motor Speech Hierarchy and Motor Speech Analysis (Deborah Hayden, 1995) are used to evaluate the individual strengths and weaknesses of the child or adult’s motor speech system. The words and phrases selected for the individualized therapy plan are based on what the client can produce and use for successful interactive communication. The words and phrases reduce the motor load for the client, increasing the success and eliminating incorrect patterns. These ‘target’ words and phrases become the exercise, which is practiced in meaningful communication.

Think of swinging a tennis racket. Behind you the tennis pro guides your movement. The rhythm, timing and trajectory of the movement are critical. The first few tries may not seem to do anything; however, your mind body connection evolves when the correct movement pattern is practiced. This correct sequential movement pattern which was originally ‘felt’ through the guidance of the tennis pro affects your motor memory, so that finally you will be able to hit the ball over the net on your own!

PROMPT® is very similar in that it tactually and physically stimulates the correct muscle patterns for producing sound sequences. The therapist can increase or decrease range of motion and control for asymmetrical movement. Timing and transitions from one sound to the next can be shown to the client through touch resulting in refined and intelligible speech production. Traditional speech and language therapy relies on the person matching what he hears with what he sees the therapist doing. PROMPT helps the person achieve and auditory and motor match based upon the tactile input given by the therapist.

In addition to the evaluation of hierarchical motor speech information, there is a communication domain analysis. Communication evolves out of the interaction of three domains of communication: physical/sensory, social/emotional, cognitive/linguistic. We assess the sensory system, physical abilities, emotional attachments and their ability to understand concepts and language. The success of PROMPT therapy is evident because it starts where the child is and builds upon these foundations of communication.

Who can PROMPT® therapy help?

PROMPT® has been cited in studies for improving Speech and Language for children and adults with:

• Autism Spectrum Disorders

• Dyspraxia, Apraxia

• Hearing Impairment

• Developmental Delays

• Dysarthria

• Phonological Disorders

• Stuttering or rhythm disorders

• Cerebral Palsy

• Specific speech and language disabilities