Should arm gestures be part of the instructions provided to patients for glide production?

The assertion that arm gestures are not typically included in the instructions provided to patients for glide production aligns with an understanding of the most common practices in speech-language therapy. The use of arm gestures can vary based on the therapeutic approach and the individual needs of the patient. In many standard instructions for glide production, the focus tends to be on verbal cues and auditory modeling, rather than physical gestures, which may not be deemed necessary in most contexts. For many clinicians, emphasizing verbal instructions and auditory feedback can simplify the learning process and enhance the patient's focus on the phonetic aspects of glide production.

While there are therapeutic strategies where gestures are utilized to facilitate understanding or to provide additional cues, they are not universally required or recommended in every scenario. This flexibility allows therapists to tailor their approach based on the client's specific needs or preferences, making the inclusion of arm gestures more situational rather than a standard practice.