MULTIPLE OPPOSITIONS APPROACH
Williams, A. L. (2000a) Multiple oppositions: Theoretical foundations for an alternative contrastive
intervention approach. American Journal of Speech-Language Pathology, 9, 282-288.
Williams, A. L. (2000b) Multiple oppositio ns: Case studies of variables in phonological
intervention. American Journal of Speech-Language Pathology, 9, 289-299.
Our group decided to do the multiple oppositions approach with Andrew because it is possible to
work on expanding the inventory of sounds he can produce and reduce a phonological process (we
chose initial cluster reduction) simultaneously. McLeod and Baker (2003) report that the multiple
oppositions approach is suitable for children with “ a severe or profound phonological impairment”.
Title: Blast the Balloon
Authors: Lori Scherian
Kylie Mcquillan
Nikki McCluskey
Leoni Van Zeyl
Objectives / Goals: The objective of this task is to focus on familiarisation and production in
accordance with phase one of the multiple oppositions approach. It targets initial cluster reduction
and sounds absent from the child’s repertoire.
Materials:
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12 balloons; 3 of one colour, 3 of another, 3 of another and 3 of a fourth colour.
Targets words and pictures created on computer to stick on the balloons
Target words are:
Say
Jo
Chew
Zip
Play
Blow
Zoo
Slip
Stay
Snow
Glue
Chip
Double-sided tape / blue tack
Knitting needle
Counters; 3 for each word in colours corresponding to balloons
Procedure:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
Stick pictures and words on balloons
in rhyming sets
Stick the 1 st 3 balloons on the table
with the pictures facing up
Other balloons should be in a box on
the floor out of sight
The clinician should sit next to
Andrew at the table, both facing the
balloons
The clinician should point to each
balloon as they say the word
Next Andrew should do the same, if he says the word right he gets a counter
with that word on it
Continue until he has three counters for a word then he can use the knitting
needle to pop that balloon
Continue this process for the next three sets of words
Clinician should provide instructional feedback and praise throughout
procedure
Title: Andrew’s Picture Book
Author: Nikki McCluskey
Kylie McQuillan
Lori Scherian
Leonie Van Zeyl
Objectives/goals: For the child (Andrew) to be able to us e the treatment words within a natural
communicative context, in accordance with Phase 3.
Materials: Personalised 3-D picture book
Target words are:
Say
Jo
Play
Blow
Stay
Snow
Chew
Zoo
Glue
Zip
Slip
Chip
Procedure:
• Open book to child and get them to tell you a story about what is happening on the page. The
clinician should prompt the child to use the target words.
• Repeat this process for each page