Description

Ages: 5 and up

Grades: K and up

Authors: Kelly Farquharson and Carol Koch

Mastering /ɹ/: Comprehensive Inventory & Therapy Tool Bundle

Take the guesswork out of the “tricky R” with this evidence-based assessment and treatment system. Developed by renowned experts Dr. Kelly Farquharson and Dr. Carol Koch, this bundle provides a deep-dive analysis of a student’s rhotic production and a strategic roadmap for intervention.

Component 1: The /ɹ/ Inventory

This is more than a simple screener; it is a linguistic deep dive designed to find exactly where a student’s /ɹ/ is breaking down—and where it is successful.

• 7 Facilitative Contexts: Identifies if specific vowel or consonant pairings help the student produce a cleaner /ɹ/.

• Comprehensive Scope: Assesses R-clusters, Vocalic R, and prevocalic /ɹ/ at both the single-word and phrase levels.

• Dialect-Sensitive Assessment: Includes 14 phrases specifically designed for students who may speak non-rhotic dialects (e.g., Eastern American, UK, Australian). This prevents misdiagnosing a natural dialectal variation as a speech sound disorder.

Component 2: Facilitative Contexts for /ɹ/ Therapy

Once the inventory identifies a student’s “entry point,” these cards provide the high-repetition stimulus needed to build muscle memory.

• 149 Targets on 89 Cards: Organized by linguistic structure to support a variety of tongue postures (retroflexed vs. bunched).

• Strategic Word Lists: Features 7 distinct contexts (High Front Vowels, Low Front Vowels, Alveolars, High Back Vowels, Low Back Vowels, Velars, and Liquids).

• Streamlined Therapy: By using “Facilitative Contexts,” you stop practicing words that are too difficult and focus on words that naturally set the tongue up for success.

Why This Bundle is Essential

• Reduces Frustration: Many students get “stuck” on /ɹ/ for years. This tool finds their “hidden” correct productions and bridges them to other contexts.

• Evidence-Based Practice: Built on the principle of Coarticulation—the idea that the sounds surrounding /ɹ/ directly influence how the tongue moves.

• Progress Monitoring: Use the inventory throughout the year to show nuanced growth that standard standardized tests often miss.