Practice Makes Perfect: The Incompatibility of Practicing Speech and Meaningful Communication

In this article, the possibility is raised that some children may implicitly view the therapy situation as one in which new sounds and language forms are learned and practiced. In contrast, the primary purpose of talking outside of therapy is meaningful communication. Inherent in this view of therapy and non-therapy is the incompatibility or inconsistency between practicing speech and communicating effectively. What led me to recognize this inconsistency and consider its potential clinical implications was the way in which my daughter Franne dealt with her phonological disorder.