What pairs of words should an SLP use in the multiple oppositions method for phonological errors?

The multiple oppositions approach is designed for working with children who exhibit multiple phonological errors, especially when a single phoneme substitution affects several word pairs in different ways. It emphasizes contrasting a target sound with multiple sounds that it can be confused with, helping to clarify the distinctions.

The correct answer, which includes the pairs "doe" and "go," "doe" and "though," and "doe" and "Joe," effectively illustrates this concept. In this case, "doe" is utilized as a consistent base, allowing for the exploration of different phonetic contrasts against it. The phonetic substitutions here highlight important distinctions: the initial /d/ versus /g/ and other relevant contrasts like /ð/ and /d/. The child can learn to differentiate not just one sound, but multiple sounds that are phonologically relevant, playing a crucial role in phonological awareness and improving speech clarity.

In contrast, the other options do not follow this effective structure. They either lack the variation needed to stimulate the multiple oppositions necessary for effective therapy or do not present contrasts that are as widely relevant in phonological processes. Thus, the selected pairs provide a solid basis for intervention in phonological errors.