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PROMPT - Prompts for Restructuring Oral Muscular Phonetic Targets

PROMPT (Prompts for Restructuring Oral Muscular Phonetic Targets) is a highly specialized, hands-on speech therapy approach developed by Deborah Hayden in 1980. After years of research and clinical work with children and adults with complex speech production disorders, Hayden created a comprehensive system rooted in neurological, anatomical, cognitive-linguistic, and motor learning principles. Over the decades, PROMPT has grown into a full Technique, System, Approach, and Philosophy—and it remains one of the most respected motor-based speech therapy methods available today.

What makes PROMPT unique is its use of gentle, precise tactile cues on the face, jaw, and lips to guide a child’s articulators into the exact movements needed for clear speech. These tactile prompts help children develop the motor planning, coordination, and oral stability required to produce accurate sound sequences—not just in therapy, but in real, functional communication.

PROMPT is especially effective for children with:

  • Childhood Apraxia of Speech (CAS)

  • Dysarthria

  • Severe articulation disorders

  • Motor planning and sequencing challenges

  • Complex communication needs

At KidSpeak Therapy, PROMPT strategies blend seamlessly with our myofunctional therapy and oral-motor interventions, giving children a holistic foundation for improved speech clarity, stronger oral function, and better breath coordination. This integrated approach supports not just speech sounds, but the underlying jaw, lip, and tongue movements necessary for consistent, confident communication.

We proudly serve families in Bethesda, Chevy Chase, Potomac, Rockville, and the greater DMV area, as well as telepractice clients in Florida and California, ensuring children everywhere can benefit from this evidence-based approach.

If you’re searching for PROMPT therapy near me, motor-based speech therapy, or specialized support for Childhood Apraxia of Speech, KidSpeak Therapy is here to help. To learn more about PROMPT training and philosophy, visit The PROMPT Institute.

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