Natural Phonology Model
The Natural Phonology Model was originated by David Stampe and further expounded upon by David Stampe and Patricia Donegan between the 1960s and 1970s (Bernthal, Bankson & Flipsen, 2013). As an alternative to the generative and structural approaches, this model is based on the premise that speech patterns develop naturally from birth. A universal set of phonological processes are acquired early since we are born with the same system of processes. According to this model, children use the processes of syllable structure, substitution and assimilation. For example, children may say “bi” for “big” or “key” is pronounced “tea” or “bag” is pronounced “back.” However, as children get older and their speech and language mature, …show more content…
Researchers have been able to formulate charts of the ages that typically developing children stop using phonological processes. These act as a guide for speech-language pathologists (SLPs) as they conduct assessments and develop treatment plans that represents the client’s articulation and phonological processes. For instance, when doing a speech sample with a child, the SLP will listen for and make note of any misarticulations or errors in their speech patterns. Since the development of the natural phonology model, SLPs are now aware that children should not be penalized for phonological errors if they have reached the age of elimination of phonological processes. For example, a two year old child that says the word “tat” for “cat” would not be considered to have a pronunciation error since children don’t suppress fronting until the age of three (Merkel-Piccini, 2001). A number of assessment tools were developed as a result of this model such as the Bankson-Bernthal Test of Phonology (BBTOP), Phonological Assessment of Child Speech (PACS), and Natural Process Analysis (Bernthal, Bankson & Flipsen, 2013). Additionally, a speech sample is an important component of the assessment process. In the analysis of a speech sample, an SLP is better able to determine the phonological processes that best describe changes in speech patterns and collect quantitative data on the number of times a child uses a
The Natural Phonology Model was originated by David Stampe and further expounded upon by David Stampe and Patricia Donegan between the 1960s and 1970s (Bernthal, Bankson & Flipsen, 2013). As an alternative to the generative and structural approaches, this model is based on the premise that speech patterns develop naturally from birth. A universal set of phonological processes are acquired early since we are born with the same system of processes. According to this model, children use the processes of syllable structure, substitution and assimilation. For example, children may say “bi” for “big” or “key” is pronounced “tea” or “bag” is pronounced “back.” However, as children get older and their speech and language mature, …show more content…
Researchers have been able to formulate charts of the ages that typically developing children stop using phonological processes. These act as a guide for speech-language pathologists (SLPs) as they conduct assessments and develop treatment plans that represents the client’s articulation and phonological processes. For instance, when doing a speech sample with a child, the SLP will listen for and make note of any misarticulations or errors in their speech patterns. Since the development of the natural phonology model, SLPs are now aware that children should not be penalized for phonological errors if they have reached the age of elimination of phonological processes. For example, a two year old child that says the word “tat” for “cat” would not be considered to have a pronunciation error since children don’t suppress fronting until the age of three (Merkel-Piccini, 2001). A number of assessment tools were developed as a result of this model such as the Bankson-Bernthal Test of Phonology (BBTOP), Phonological Assessment of Child Speech (PACS), and Natural Process Analysis (Bernthal, Bankson & Flipsen, 2013). Additionally, a speech sample is an important component of the assessment process. In the analysis of a speech sample, an SLP is better able to determine the phonological processes that best describe changes in speech patterns and collect quantitative data on the number of times a child uses a