Professionals

PROMPT's multidimensional approach to speech production disorders has come to embrace not only the well known physical-sensory aspects of motor performance, but also its cognitive-linguistic and social-emotional aspects.

PROMPT is about integrating all domains and systems towards positive communication outcome. It may be used (with varying intensity and focus) with all speech production disorders from approximately 6 months of age onward. To achieve the best outcome with PROMPT it should not be thought of or used mainly to facilitate oral-motor skills, produce individual sounds/phonemes or as a articulation program but rather as a program to develop motor skill in the development of language for interaction.

All PROMPT workshops are small and learning is primarily "hands-on". The instructor, participant ratio is no more than 1-14 and requires that each participant be "prompted" or helped directly by the instructor(s).

Why do I need to know about and be able to use PROMPT?

Almost every clinician will have a caseload that will include a child or adult with a speech production disorder. The delays or disorders may range from stuttering, language formulation, syntax, motor control or planning, phonological or "rule based" learning disorders, auditory processing and production disorders, general cognitive or global delays. Whatever the reason, PROMPT may be used to facilitate production, revise or change production or to integrate motor production with cognitive-linguistic function. PROMPT training will also give each clinician a more organized way to assess all domains and organize this information for the most effective, functional treatment program.

Levels of PROMPT Training

Speech Pathologists are the only profession trained fully in PROMPT as they are seen as the only profession with the prerequisite knowledge to apply PROMPT in the holistic manner in which it is intended to be used. There is a parent training program facilitated by the child’s clinician which is focused entirely on the individual child and thus cannot be used across a range of different children.

1. The first level of training is Introduction to PROMPT:Technique : This 3 day intensive workshop focuses on teaching the technique of PROMPT that is the hands on tactile-kinesethic input while emphasizing the need to integrate this into a holistic therapy approach. Due to the hands- on nature of this course a maximum of 22 participants are allowed.
2. The second level of training is Bridging PROMPT Technique to Intervention: This 3 day course teaches clinicians more about the technique of PROMPT but also focuses on setting appropriate goals and objectives for the individual within the PROMPT framework. This is to assist clinicians to enable therapy to be incorporated across a range of setting, including the home environment, while maintaining a focus on the key needs for the individual to assist them to develop to their potential. Due to the hands on nature of this course there is a maximum of 24 participants.
3. The PROMPT Technique Self Study Project: This project was developed for practicing Speech-Language clinicians to help support their learning of PROMPT Technique and provide direct suggestions about assessing, selecting targets and executing a PROMPT focused treatment plan with a particular client. This project may be completed any time up to Certification.
4. PROMPT Certification: A self study project: The clinician is expected to provide a detailed assessment (similar to the guided experience in the Bridging workshop) of a client's abilities across all domains and develop a holistic intervention plan that includes the selection of priorities on the Motor Speech Hierarchy to develop motor-phonemes and words for use within functional, interactive contexts. Parent / caregiver strategies and goals will also be developed.