Backing; Tunnels

"Backing" happens when a sound that is usually made in the front of the mouth is replaced by a sound that is made in the back of the mouth.  Thus, "tea" may be pronounced as "key;" "'t" is a front sound, and "k" is a back sound.  Or "date" may be pronounced as "gate."  It is important to note that a child can produce all the sounds in the word correctly, so this is not an articulation problem per se.  Rather, this what experts call a "phonological process" whereby a child produces a different "rule" when saying words.  In the case of backing, the "rule" the child is applying is to produce a "back sound" instead of a "front sound."

Since there are several tunnels in Pittsburgh, I recommend using a car trip through a tunnel as a treatment tool.  For fun, ask your child to see how many times she can say "tunnel" while going through (while maintaining a reasonable rate of speaking, of course).  The repetition of the same word over and over will be helpful for learning.  Tunnels in the Pittsburgh area include the:

Fort Pitt Tunnel

Image retrieved from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fort_Pitt_Tunnel.

Squirrel Hill Tunnel

Image retrieved from http://forum.pafoa.org/pittsburgh-region-69/216846-moving-pittsburgh-page-2.html.

Armstrong Tunnel

 

 Image retrieved from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Armstrong_Tunnel.

Liberty Tunnels/Tubes

Image retrieved from http://www.post-gazette.com/local/city/2012/02/20/Liberty-Tunnels-to-build-on-the-past/stories/201202200346; article by John Schmitz; photo credit unknown.

Mt. Washington Transit Tunnel (public transportation tunnel)

Image retrieved from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mt._Washington_Transit_Tunnel.

Schenley Tunnel (this is a railroad tunnel)

Image retrieved from http://prr4ever.blogspot.com/2009/05/09-05-11-photos-47-library.html.

Corliss Tunnel

Image retrieved from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Corliss_Tunnel.

To cue your child, start with what we call "auditory bombardment."  What this means is that your child will hear a target sound produced accurately many times in a short period of time.  So, I recommend some pre-teaching at home, or before you reach the tunnel.  It is important for her to hear the correct sound (in this case it is "t") over and over in the correct place.  Once you are at the tunnel, remind your child to "say all the sounds in the word, including the "tuh" sound in 'tunnel.'"  Have her repeat after you.  If she is still "backing," then draw her attention to the error.  Tell her, "I heard 'kunnel,' but you need to say 'tunnel.'"  Then, have her repeat "tunnel" several times.  If she is still "backing," then have her make the /t/ sound all by itself.  This will show her that she is able to produce the sound, and remind her of the sound that she should produce.  Finally, cue her to make the "t" sound, then follow it by having her say the word "tunnel."  This is known as "forward chaining."  Start with production of "t" and then pause, and say "tunnel."  Gradually shorten the pause until she can produce "tunnel" without error.  Here is an example:
T..........Tunnel
T........Tunnel
T......Tunnel
T....Tunnel
T..Tunnel
Tunnel.

"Green Eggs and Ham" Re-imagined

"Green Eggs and Ham" by Dr. Seuss is one of my favorite contemporary picture books.  I just can't get it out of my head...which is why I re-imagined it in a Pittsburgh setting, with pierogies replacing the green eggs and ham.  Read this out loud to your child, because reading stories and hearing rhymes are helpful for children because it helps promote early literacy and attention.  Or, have your child read this to you to practice reading skills, articulation, stuttering strategies, voice strategies, etc.  I would love to add some pictures to this when I have more time.

Image retrieved from http://www.roadtripsrus.com/2013/10/09/pedaling-pierogies-national-pierogi-day/.

I am Suzy Zees.

I am Suzy Zees.

Suzy Zees – that’s me.

That Suzy Zees

That Suzy Zees!

I do not like

that Suzy Zees!

Do you like

pierogies?

I do not like them,

Suzy Zees.

I do not like

pierogies.

Would you like them

outside or in?

I would not like them

outside or in.

I would not like them

for breakfast, lunch or din-din.

I do not like

pierogies.

I do not like them,

Suzy Zees.

Would you like them

in Station Square?

Would you like them

with a bear?

I do not like them

in Station Square.

I do not like them

with a bear.

I do not like them

outside or in.

I do not like them

for breakfast, lunch or din-din.

I do not like peirogies.

I do not like them, Suzy Zees.

Would you eat them

in Schenley Park?

Would you eat them

with a shark?

Not in Schenley Park

Not with a shark.

Not in Station Square.

Not with a bear.

I would not eat them outside or in.

I would not eat them for breakfast, lunch, or din-din.

I would not eat pierogies.

I do not like them, Suzy Zees.

Would you? Could you?

On a cruise?

Taste them! Taste them!

You can’t lose!

I would not ,

could not,

on a cruise.

You may enjoy them.

You will see.

You may like them

on the T?

I would not, could not on the T.

Not on a cruise! You leave me be.

I do not like them in Schenley Park.

I do not like them with a shark.

I do not like them in Station Square.

I do not like them with a bear.

I do not like them outside or in.

I do not like them for breakfast, lunch or din-din.

I do not like piergoies.

I do not like them, Suzy Zees.

A run! A run!

A run! A run!

Could you, would you

while on a run?

Not on a run! Not on the T!

Not on a cruise! Suzy! Leave me be!

I would not, could not, in Schenley Park.

I could not, would not, with a shark.

I will not eat them with a bear.

I will not eat them in Station Square.

I will not eat them outside or in.

I will not eat them for breakfast, lunch or din-din.

I do not like them, Suzy Zees.

Hey!

In the river?

Here in the river?

Would you, could you, in the river?

I would not, could not,

in the river.

Would you, could you,

in the sun?

I would not, could not, in the sun.

Not in the river.  Not on a run,

Not in on a cruise.  Not on the T.

I do not like them, Suzy, you see.

Not in Station Square.  Not in Schenley Park.

Not with a bear.  Not with a shark.

I will not eat them outside or in.

I do not like them for breakfast, lunch or din-din!

You do not like

pierogies?

I do not

like them,

Suzy Zees.

Could you, would you,

with a feline?

I would not,

could not.

with a feline!

Would you, could you,

on the incline?

I could not, would not, on the incline.

I will not, will not, with a feline

I will not eat them in the sun.

I will not eat them on a run.

Not in the river! Not on the T!

Not on a cruise! You leave me be!

I do not like them in Schenley Park.

I do not like them with a shark.

I will not eat them in Station Square.

I do not like them with a bear.

I do not like them outside or in.

I do not like them for BREAKFAST, LUNCH or DIN-DIN!

I do not like

pierogies!

I do not like them,

Suzy-Zees.

You do not like them.

SO you yell.

Taste them! Taste them!

And you may tell.

Taste them and you may tell I yell.

Suzy!

If you will let me go,

I will taste them.

You will know.

Hey!

I like pierogies!

I do!! I like them, Suzy Zees!

And I would eat them on the incline!

And I would eat them with a feline.

And I will eat them in the sun.

And in the river.  And on a run.

And on a cruise.  And on the T.

They are so yummy, so yummy you see!

So I will eat them in Schenley Park.

And I will eat them with a shark.

And I will eat them in Station Square.

And I will eat them with a bear.

And I will eat them outside and in.

Hey! I will eat them for breakfast, lunch and din-din!

I do so enjoy

pierogies!

Thank you!

Thank you,

Suzy Zees!

Word List: Pittsburgh by syllable

I want to create Pittsburgh word list, organized by syllable.  It will serve as a great reference for just about anywhere in Pittsburgh, and can be used for many speech and language goals.  Please help me complete the list by posting ideas below, and I will update the grid.  Many thanks!

One syllable	Two Syllable	Three syllable	Four Syllable	Five Syllable	Phrases
“O”	Baseball	Carnegie	Aquarium	Conservatory	Bus lane
“T”	City	Holusky	Aviary	University	Cultural District
Black	College	Hospital	UPMC		Gateway Clipper
Bus	Downtown	Museum			Giant Eagle
Forbes	Football	Pierogi			Golden Triangle
Frick	Fountain	Primanti’s			Heinz Chapel/Field/Hall
Gold	Highway	PNC			Iron City
Heinz	Hockey	Skyscraper			Market Square
Hill	Incline				North Hills
Park	Ketchup				North Side
Pitt	Klondike				PNC Park
Route	Mayor				Point State Park
Steel	Mellon				South Hills
Stop (as in bus stop)	Parkway				South Side
Train	Penguins				Squirrel Hill
Tubes	Pirates				Station Square
Zoo	Pittsburgh				U.S. Steel
	Railroad
	River
	Skyline
	Steelers
	Trolley
	Tunnel
	Warhol