Minimal Pairs

Use of Minimal Pairs in Speech Therapy:

Minimal pairs are pairs of words that differ by only one phoneme. In the minimal pairs approach, target sound productions are compared to actual sound productions. Multiple phonemes can be targeted within an error pattern at once, while generalization to other phonemes occurs. Increasing intelligibility is the main goal. The approach is well suited for younger children who have a mild to moderate severity level. There are a variety of ways this approach can be implemented. The minimal pairs approach contains four steps:

1) Introducing the pattern and target words

2) Speech perception/auditory discrimination

3) Production in homonymous words

4) Carryover to phrases and sentences

Below, you will find a video further detailing the minimal pairs approach.

You know what Minimal Pairs are... Now what?

Now that you have learned about Minimal Pairs, what kind of client would benefit from the use of them, and saw a short demonstration video, you may be thinking... now what?

The goal of the SLP Quick Treatment guide is to help SLPs learn about available approaches they could utilize in their treatment as well as offering a list of therapy resources, research for the approach, and even data collection sheets. Essentially, this is the drawer of our "filing cabinet" that is dedicated to the Minimal Pairs - we hope it helps to jumpstart your treatment utilizing this approach!

FREE Resources:

PAID Resources:

Data Collection Sheets:

Research supporting the use of Minimal Pairs:

Barlow, J. A., & Gierut, J. A. (2002). Minimal pair approaches to phonological remediation. Seminars in Speech and Language, 23(1), 057–068. https://doi.org/10.1055/s-2002-24969
McLeod, S., & Baker, E. (2017). Children’s speech: An evidence-based approach to assessment and Intervention. Pearson.
Saben, C. B., & Ingham, J. C. (1991). The effects of minimal pairs treatment on the speech-sound production of two children with phonologic disorders. Journal of Speech, Language, and Hearing Research, 34(5), 1023–1040. https://doi.org/10.1044/jshr.3405.1023
Williams, A. L., McLeod, S., & McCauley, R. J. (2021). Interventions for speech sound disorders in children. Paul H. Brookes Publishing Co.