Research

Bjorem & Best Practices

At Bjorem Speech, it’s important to us that our speech and literacy therapy materials are rooted in research and best practices. We thoughtfully align our product decisions with evidence-based approaches so you can feel confident in what you’re using. This page highlights the studies behind our most-used methods, and we’re always adding more, so check back often to stay informed and inspired.

Our Commitment to Evidence-Based Practice

Every product we create is grounded in research and guided by real-world clinical experience. By combining science with creativity, we design tools that are effective, practical, and engaging for both children and professionals.

Research Behind Our Methods

From speech sound development to literacy instruction, our materials are informed by well-established methods supported in the field:

• Minimal Pairs – for addressing phonological processes and error patterns.

• Cycles Approach – for targeting multiple sound patterns over time.

• Complexity Approach – for accelerating speech sound learning by introducing complex targets first.

• DTTC (Dynamic Temporal and Tactile Cueing) – for supporting motor speech disorders such as Childhood Apraxia of Speech.

• Facilitative Contexts – for building accuracy through helpful sound environments.

Each method we highlight is paired with the research that supports its effectiveness.

Key Research by Method

Minimal Pairs

• Weiner, F. (1981). Treatment of phonological disability using the method of meaningful minimal contrast: Two case studies. Journal of Speech and Hearing Disorders, 46(1), 97–103.
• Barlow, J. A., & Gierut, J. A. (2002). Minimal pair approaches to phonological remediation. Seminars in Speech and Language, 23(1), 57–68.
• Baker, E., & McLeod, S. (2011). Evidence-based practice for children with speech sound disorders: Part 1 narrative review. Language, Speech, and Hearing Services in Schools, 42(2), 102–139.

Cycles Approach

• Hodson, B. W., & Paden, E. P. (1991). Targeting intelligible speech: A phonological approach to remediation (2nd ed.). Pro-Ed.
• Hodson, B. W. (2010). Evaluating and enhancing children’s phonological systems: Research and theory to practice. PhonoComp Publishing.
• Rudolph, J. M., & Wendt, O. (2014). The efficacy of the cycles approach: A multiple baseline design. Journal of Communication Disorders, 47, 1–16.

Complexity Approach

• Gierut, J. A. (2001). Complexity in phonological treatment: Clinical factors. Language, Speech, and Hearing Services in Schools, 32(4), 229–241.
• Gierut, J. A. (2007). Phonological complexity and language learnability. American Journal of Speech-Language Pathology, 16(1), 6–17.
• Storkel, H. L. (2018). The complexity approach to phonological treatment: How to select treatment targets. Language, Speech, and Hearing Services in Schools, 49(3), 463–481.

DTTC (Dynamic Temporal and Tactile Cueing)

• Strand, E. A. (2020). Dynamic Temporal and Tactile Cueing: A treatment strategy for childhood apraxia of speech. American Journal of Speech-Language Pathology, 29(1), 30–48.
• Strand, E. A., Stoeckel, R., & Baas, B. (2006). Treatment of severe childhood apraxia of speech: A treatment efficacy study. Journal of Medical Speech-Language Pathology, 14(4), 297–307.
• Maas, E., Gildersleeve-Neumann, C., Jakielski, K. J., & Stoeckel, R. (2014). Motor-based intervention protocols in treatment of childhood apraxia of speech (CAS). Current Developmental Disorders Reports, 1(3), 197–206.

Facilitative Contexts

• Stringfellow, K., & McLeod, S. (1994). Using a facilitating phonetic context to reduce an unusual form of gliding. Language, Speech, and Hearing Services in Schools, 25(3), 191–193.
• Stokes, S. F., & Griffiths, R. (2010). The use of facilitative vowel contexts in the treatment of post-alveolar fronting: A case study. International Journal of Language & Communication Disorders, 45(3), 368–380. https://doi.org/10.3109/13682820903094737

Literacy Approaches That Work

Our literacy tools are built on approaches that emphasize phonological awareness, decoding, and fluency. Research supports these as essential building blocks for reading success, and our products make them easy to integrate into therapy, classrooms, or at-home practice.

Research in Action

We don’t just reference research, we translate it into practical tools. Each deck, card set, and literacy product is thoughtfully designed so you can implement evidence-based strategies without spending hours creating your own materials.

Always Growing

The field of speech-language pathology and literacy instruction is always evolving, and so are we. As new studies emerge, we continue to refine, expand, and innovate, ensuring that Bjorem Speech & Literacy resources stay relevant, effective, and aligned with best practices.