Functional Speech Disorders INDEX

In the therapy technique described here the image of a butterfly is used to make it easier for the client to visualise the position they need their tongue to assume while they are in the early stages of learning to replace their lateral s and z sounds with their new /s/ and /z/ sounds. The butterfly technique has also been successfully applied in working on the elimination of lateral "sh", and remediating lateral affricates.

Part of the skill and experience of the speech and language clinician is to know when to phase out this imagery, because of course you cannot speak naturally if you force yourself into the butterfly position every time you need to produce an ess or zed.

The client is encouraged to think of the tongue simulating the shape of a butterfly. 

When you say "i" as in "bin", or "ee" as in "been", the sides of the tongue are raised slightly, like the raised wings of a butterfly, and are in light but definite contact with the teeth. Meanwhile, a central groove is formed along the middle of the tongue where the body of a butterfly would be. 

The butterfly position is the position to aim for in producing a correct /s/ or /z/. Holding this position, the client learns to direct the air-flow "along" the central groove, and not (laterally) over the sides of the tongue.

Remember
Do not attempt to work on lateral s unless the alveolar stops /t/ and /d/ are correct.   

Demonstrate the correct tongue position for /s/, model the sound, and see if the child can imitate. You might get lucky!

"Discuss" what you do when you make /s/ and compare it with what the child is doing.

Make sure the child knows, in simple terms, what you are working together to achieve. 

Do not attempt to use the butterfly procedure with children below four years of age.

The Butterfly Procedure
Talk about the "butterfly position" for the tongue, or the position the tongue is in when you prolong the "i" in "pip" or the "ee" in "peep". Point out to the child that the lateral margins of the tongue are in contact with the teeth: like a butterfly with its wings up. 

Click here to find out what happens next!

Page updated 21 May 2009

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