Remediation of Phonological Disorders in Preschool Age Children: Evidence for the Cycles Approach

EBP Briefs

Hassink, J. M., & Wendt, O. (2010).

EBP Briefs, 5(2), 1-7.

This systematic review investigates the effect of the Cycles Approach or a modified Cycles Approach on the occurrence of phonological processes or on the remediation of phonological disorders in preschool age children (2.5 to 6 years old) who are diagnosed with a phonological disorder.

Not stated

Up to December 2009

Experimental studies; quasi-experimental studies; descriptive/non-experimental group design studies

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One study indicated that "the Cycles Approach is able to remediate a greater number of speech sound errors in a shorter period of time by targeting sound patterns instead of individual phonemes" (Inconclusive Evidence; p. 5).

Although evidence was limited, several studies indicated that "it is plausible that the Cycles Approach results in improved consonant production in conversational contexts ..., that children with less severe phonological and language impairments improve in both domains when the Cycles Approach is used ..., and that earlier implementation of the Cycles Approach results in improved outcome" (Suggestive Evidence; p. 4).

Several studies suggested that "the Cycles Approach reduces phonological processes and improves production of non-target phonemes through generalization ..., that this intervention technique may be effectively administered in a group treatment setting such as a preschool program ... as long as the children are stimulable for target sounds ..., and that a combined Cycles Approach-phonological awareness program may also result in improved speech production" (Inconclusive Evidence; p. 4).