Which strategy is most appropriate for treating compensatory articulation errors in a child with hypernasality?

Using tactile cues to elicit phonemes is an effective strategy for treating compensatory articulation errors in children with hypernasality. This approach involves providing physical feedback to the child, which can help them understand how to position their articulators (such as the tongue, lips, and palate) to produce sounds correctly.

In the context of hypernasality, where there may be misarticulations due to airflow mismanagement, tactile cues can assist in redirecting the child's focus towards proper articulation mechanics. By feeling where their articulators are and how they should be moving, children can learn to eliminate incorrect compensatory strategies that may be contributing to their speech difficulties.

Oral motor exercises, while useful for strengthening muscles and improving control, may not specifically address the phoneme production issues associated with hypernasality. Using a straw to elicit the /s/ sound, although it can promote breath control, might not effectively correct the underlying articulatory issues. Negative practice, which involves having a child intentionally produce a sound incorrectly, often leads to confusion and can reinforce the errors rather than correct them. Thus, tactile cues provide a more direct and practical approach to modifying articulation in children experiencing hypernasality.