Inside the Design: Amy Graham on the Bjorem Speech® Cycles Approach Decks
In a recent Instagram Live interview, Amy Graham, M.A., CCC-SLP, the creator of the Bjorem Speech® Cycles Approach decks, joined Shelby Ford, M.S., CCC-SLP, Director of Marketing at Bjorem Speech®, to discuss the making of the Bjorem Speech® Cycles Approach decks. What unfolded was an in-depth look at the thoughtful, research-based, and clinically driven process behind the creation of these widely used tools for speech-language pathologists. Amy offered a behind-the-scenes glimpse into everything from target selection and card design to phonological awareness integration and artwork decisions.
The Why Behind the Decks
Amy shared that the idea to create the cycles decks stemmed from her own clinical frustration—constantly needing to cross out words from other resources because they weren't appropriate for phonological intervention. "There were sounds in the target words that made production too difficult," she explained. With the Cycles Approach in mind, Amy wanted to create something that prioritized facilitative phonetic contexts and monosyllabic words that would support sound acquisition from the start.
Intentional Target Selection
Every single word in the Cycles decks was selected with intention. Amy focused on avoiding error sounds in target words (e.g., no "T" in words targeting "K"), limiting complexity, and using early-developing sounds when appropriate. Each deck includes just 3–6 words per pattern—perfect for cycles-style therapy where limited targets per session yield powerful results. "You don’t need 25 words for a pattern. You need the right ones," she emphasized.
Monosyllabic and Phonetically Simple
Amy explained that monosyllabic words were non-negotiable for the cycles decks. Simple CVC structures or consonant-vowel words help children achieve high accuracy and success, particularly in the early stages of intervention. The decks were designed to increase complexity later, but never prematurely.
Phonological Awareness Integration
More than articulation, these decks were built to support foundational phonemic awareness skills. Amy offered examples of using minimal pairs in the gliding deck (e.g., "reef," "ring," "reach") to teach sound manipulation. She described simple activities like changing "reach" to "reef" by substituting end sounds or discussing rhymes during play to build literacy links alongside speech improvement.
Letter-Sound Relationships and Literacy Connections
One design choice that sets these decks apart: the word appears on the front of the card. Amy explained this supports phonemic awareness and letter-sound correspondence. "We wanted lowercase letters and the words right there to jumpstart early literacy connections. You can ask, 'What letter do you see at the beginning? What sound does it make?'"
Inclusive, Intentional Artwork
Illustrator Ruthie was Amy’s creative partner for all the deck artwork. Amy praised the simple, diverse, and engaging visuals: "I wanted backgrounds to be blank and images to be clear—no distractions, just focus on the target word." Representation was important, with depictions of children with cochlear implants, wheelchairs, and limb differences.
Therapy Made Easier
Shelby and Amy discussed how these decks reduce the mental load on SLPs. With the right targets already selected, planning becomes simpler and more efficient. Amy shared, "I don’t do fancy lesson plans. I focus on selecting the right targets—that’s what matters most."
Bundles with Purpose
The decks are available individually or in two bundles. Amy explained that Bundle 1 includes the most common patterns she sees clinically (e.g., fronting, initial/final consonant deletion, S-clusters), while Bundle 2 addresses less frequent but still critical patterns. The bundling was intentional to balance utility and cost.
Conclusion
The Bjorem Speech Cycles Approach decks are more than just therapy cards—they're the product of clinical wisdom, careful planning, and a deep understanding of phonological intervention. Amy’s decks allow SLPs to implement the Cycles Approach with fidelity, confidence, and ease.
To explore the Cycles decks, visit Bjorem Speech.
Not on Instagram? No problem! Watch the live interview here on YouTube:
