Book Review of Peachie Speechie’s Speech Sound Handbook
Peachie Speechie’s Speech Sound Handbook is an outstanding resource for speech-language pathologists and parents who want to help children improve their speech sounds. The author, a speech-language pathologist, has done an excellent job of presenting complex concepts in a simple and engaging manner.
Book Organization
The book is divided into two sections. The first section covers the basics of speech development, including the anatomy and physiology of speech, phonetics, and phonology. The author provides clear explanations of each concept, along with helpful examples and illustrations.
The second section focuses on specific speech sounds, organized developmentally. For each sound, the author provides a detailed explanation of how to produce it, along with common errors and strategies for correction. The book also includes numerous activities and games that can be used to reinforce correct sound production.
As an SLP, I appreciate having word lists of the sounds divided by initial, medial, or final positions. I also like that the words are sorted by number of syllables. In addition, each sound includes “Challenge Words” that include the sound in multiple positions of words or paired with easily confused words.
Video LInks using QR Codes
What sets Peachie Speechie’s Speech Sound Handbook apart from other speech therapy resources is its user-friendly format. The information is presented in a clear and concise manner, making it easy to understand and implement. The book also includes helpful tips and tricks for working with children, such as how to make therapy sessions fun and engaging.
Included throughout the book are QR codes linked to videos that demonstrate correct placement cues for correct production of the sounds. This is a unique feature that I haven’t seen in other resources.
Visuals and charts
The first section includes helpful visuals and charts that would make great decor for any speech room. I would laminate these pages and put them on the wall or board for easy reference.
- The first visual is pictures of the mouth positions for all the speech sounds including consonants, vowels, and diphthongs.
- The second is a chart of the developmental ages for the acquisition of the speech sounds as well as a chart specifically for the /r/ sound. This is especially helpful, since the source that is referenced is from 2020, so it is timely.
- Next is a Speech Sound Checklist which is used to assess the stimulability of each of the speech sounds in isolation.
- A Place-Manner-Voice Chart is also provided to look for patterns in a child’s speech sounds errors.
- A Vowel Quadrilateral Chart is included to show tongue position and height in the mouth for each of the vowel sounds
- Finally, a visual of the speech mechanism is provided that clearly shows the speech anatomy.
Recommendations
As an SLP, I heartily recommend this book. I think it would make an excellent library addition for any SLP. I believe it would be especially helpful to new SLPs who are starting out or for a University-level Communicative Disorders course on Articulation.
If you are looking for a book on phonology or when to use traditional articulation therapy vs. a phonological processes approach, then this is not the right resource for that.
How to Purchase
Peachie Speechie’s Speech Sound Handbook is available at their website and at Amazon.com. The links are provided below:
Amazon:
Peachie Speechie.com:
There is a difference in price. The price on Amazon is $79.00 for a bound book. On the Peachie Speechie website, the book is offered as a pdf download for $59.00.
For a busy SLP, that travels between buildings, I would recommend the pdf download. It would be easier to download the necessary pages and then carry those rather than the entire book.
For more information on speech sound disorders from the American Speech Language and Hearing Association, click here:
https://www.asha.org/public/speech/disorders/speech-sound-disorders/
