What modification did the SLP make to keep patients engaged during the LOUD Crowd group?

The choice to stress final consonants while counting is particularly effective because it not only engages participants but also promotes better voice quality and articulation. By focusing on final consonants, the speech-language pathologist (SLP) encourages individuals to articulate more clearly, which can be essential for those in a LOUD Crowd group, where participants are working on enhancing their vocal volume and clarity. This technique adds a layer of challenge and helps participants stay focused and motivated, as it requires more attention and mental engagement than simply counting.

In contrast, options such as counting forward or backward could be less engaging because they do not inherently focus on speech mechanics or the improvement of vocal strength and clarity. Changing the volume of their voices may not provide the same level of targeted practice on speech sounds, and while vocal warm-ups are beneficial, they serve a different purpose than the more interactive activity of counting with a specific focus. Ultimately, emphasizing final consonants serves both to engage the participants and to advance their speech therapy goals effectively.