Examining the efficacy of complex clusters in real words and nonwords during the treatment of speech sound disorders

Abstract

This study compared the treatment efficacy of real words (RW) and non-words (NW) containing complex consonant clusters. Using a single-subject multiple baseline design, six children with speech sound disorders (SSD) (5;3 to 6;2) were split into two treatment groups (RW and NW). Children taught clusters in RWs had more accurate productions and greater generalization of their treatment target, while children in the NW treatment resulted in a greater decrease in error variants. Both groups demonstrated similar changes in their overall percent consonants correct and untreated cluster production accuracy. Thus, complex cluster targets in both RWs and NWs should be considered to be efficient and efficacious options when providing SSD treatment. Since children demonstrated widespread phonological change despite often lacking all cluster segments in their phonemic inventories, previous suggestions of complex cluster target selection may need to be revisited.