PROMPT

PROMPT, which stands for ‘PROMPTS for Restructuring Oral Muscular Phonetic Targets’, has been proven to help children with speech production deficits. Developed by Deborah Hayden in the late 1970’s, PROMPT has grown into a comprehensive philosophy dedicated to creating unique, multi-dimensional programming to facilitate changes in speech ability.

Hayden founded the PROMPT Institute which forwardly explains, “PROMPT is a process… does not employ oral-motor exercises, speech drill, or traditional developmental speech hierarchies… but instead determine[s] how to develop the most normalized and flexible motor control, cognitive skills and social interactions in the quickest way with the most functional results “ (2009; www.promptinstitute.com).

PROMPT originally ground itself in research related to the tactile system and neurological systemization.  This research was translated into clinical interventions focusing on motor disorders and speech production.  As research evolved so did PROMPT, and scholarly research regarding cognition, linguistics, sociology and neurobiology added to the philosophy’s fundamentals. 

The PROMPT philosophy focuses on teaching children to identify, manipulate and control the muscles required for speech under the premise of self-awareness and regulation.  Sequencing these necessary movements is another common goal and challenge.  The tactile cues are the most observable feature of PROMPTS but the philosophy is comprehensive and includes exceptional individualization of goals, treatment and programming. According to Hayden, PROMPTS has grown into more then a philosophy; it’s a, “philosophy, a system, an approach and a technique “(¶ 9). 

Research to determine the effectiveness of PROMPT began in 1980, when the first study showing its benefit was introduced by Chumpelik and colleagues.  The PROMPTS institute website cites this study as showing an 8 year old child with autism acquire, “30 functional words over a four-month period”.  The PROMPTS Institute also cites a second study by these same researchers, in which “all the children significantly changed their productions of target words in the PROMPT treatment condition”.  According to the PROMPTS Institute, children treated with this therapy, “perceptually improved speech”, as demonstrated in a study by Square, Goshulak, Bose and Hayden (2000).  While these studies focus on children, Hayden reported during an interview with Apraxia Kids, that PROMPT is a beneficial treatment for adults as well (2005, http://www.apraxia-kids.org).

Parents and caregivers are an integral and essential component within PROMPT, however, the role they must play is different then in other treatment modalities.  PROMPT encourages parent involvement but does not encourage parents to provide PROMPT therapy, as their lack of experience can have negative effects and actually frustrate the child receiving treatment.  Hayden recommends parents focus on communication with their child and therapeutic team.

Currently, the PROMPTS Institute has 22 approved trainers responsible for educating professionals to implement this philosophy.  Training and education is hands-on, and so is PROMPTS, as you’ll commonly see therapists physically manipulating and supporting children’s mouths, lips and facial area to treat articulation and production deficits.  Attention is paid to every muscle and movement required for speech production, which equates to substantial training. 

Training is provided by the PROMPTS Institute and children may attend the Institute’s clinic for treatment.  The Institute also offers materials for parents and professionals, which range in variety from toys to DVD’s.  Assessment, diagnostic and program implementation materials are also available through the Institute.  Parents will find information explaining dysarthria and apraxia, which are treated with PROMPTS.

Parents interested in using PROMPT can utilize the Institute or collaborate with a trained professional in their area.  Speech-Language therapists and pathologists across the country have received PROMPTS training and continue to do so as the effectiveness of this method is continually established.

The research is clear and long standing.  Clinicians, parents and individuals echo the results and attest to the effectiveness of using PROMPTS to help facilitate speech production and articulation by implementing this philosophy as treatment.  Hayden began treating apraxia and related disorders by focusing on the tactile and systemization of the nervous system, as opposed to traditional programming.  This unique perspective allowed for continue model development, which resulted in PROMPTS becoming a system, approach and technique professionals are learning and applying with success.

References:

Chumpelik [Hayden], D. & Sherman, J. (1980). Using a tactile approach in the acquisition of functional oral communication in a non-verbal, eight year old autistic child: a case study. Unpublished research.

Chumpelik [Hayden], D., & Sherman, J. (1983). Treatment comparisons for developmental apraxia of speech. Unpublished research, Thistletown Regional Centre, Toronto, ON.

Hayden, D. (2005). Childhood Motor Speech Disorders and the PROMPT System. Available at http://www.apraxia-kids.org/site/apps/nl/content3.asp?c=chKMI0PIIsE&b=788447&ct=464155.

PROMPT Institute. (2009). Retrieved from https://promptinstitute.com/index.php?page=prompt-research on April 24, 3009.

Square, P.A., Goshulak, D., Bose, A., & Hayden, D. (2000, February). The effects of articulatory subsystem treatment for developmental neuromotor speech disorders. Paper presented at the Tenth Biennial conference on Motor Speech Disorders and Speech Motor Control, San Antonio, TX.