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Wednesday, August 14, 2013

Speech Buddies {Product Review}

Speech Buddies are a set of instruments (i.e. Buddies) that provides kinesthetic awareness to those with decreased articulatory precision. There are 5 Buddies, they target R, S, L, CH and SH.

Below is a diagram of how they work:

In my own use, I found it to be a wonderful tool that helps clients determine the accurate placement and motor plans for difficult sounds. Many sounds we produce are difficult to explain, the Speech Buddies seem to be a great way to bridge the gap between the abstract explanation of sound production and the actual target production.


The complete set includes 5 tools

What I liked:
  • The Speech Buddy sight offers free online games through Speech Buddies University for users to practice their sounds while having fun on the computer. 
  • For those who are reluctant to take the plunge, Speech Buddy offers a 30 day trail. 
  • Tools come in a cute carrying case for easy transport.
What I did not like:
  • This is a pricey item. Costing $299 for 5 tools (includes tools for R, S, L, CH, and SH).
Overall, I think the Speech Buddy is a great addition to any SLP's toolkit. Just like any tool, they aren't right for every child, but they really have cut down on overall treatment time for a client I've been treating this summer. Although parents can use the Buddy to help their child while at home, it is not a substitution for therapy or an SLP.

To see Speech Buddies in action, take a look at this video below: 



Disclosure Statement: I was provided a set of the Speech Buddy tools. No other compensation was provided. This review includes solely my opinions.

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