Group Philosophy

Many SLPs and SLPAs provide group services to children with speech sound disorders. Law, Garrett, and Nye’s 2010 meta-analysis found no significant difference in outcomes for children who received group vs. individual treatment. The key ingredient in both conditions was evidence-based intervention.

Group intervention is not limited to all children in the group sitting together and practicing one at a time. This may not engage all students and may not result in enough practice to change the motor pattern for target sounds. Children may be grouped in smaller configurations (partners or triads) based on the phase of treatment (pre-practice, practice, or generalization), sound targets, language background, interests, or personality.