What is the Bite-R?
The Bite-R Method
The Bite-R creates a sensation in the mouth, guiding the client to remove it after feeling the sensation and attempt proper tongue positioning. This involves bringing the teeth into close approximation, elevating the back of the tongue, stabilizing the back lateral edges against the molars, and protruding the lips.
Nearly every client shows noticeable improvement in the first session, with some achieving up to 90% progress. Using tactile sensations and descriptive guidance, clients become more aware of their tongue movements, enabling them to repeat successes and initiate spontaneous carryover.
Can it be used in schools?
Absolutely. Incorporating the Bite-R in therapy can streamline your caseload. Children targeting R sounds should begin with individual sessions before rejoining group work. The Bite-R has demonstrated success even in shorter sessions, with reports of clients progressing to sentence-level R sounds within an hour of therapy.
How is the Bite-R different from traditional methods?
The primary difference lies in the approach. Traditional phonemic therapy treats /ar/ as a single sound unit, relying on the child to imitate and perceive the two phonemes. Tactile therapy, however, focuses on distinct motor movements for the a and r sounds, teaching clients to feel the transition between them.
Is every therapy session the same?
No. Each client progresses through unique stages of sound development. The Speech-Language Pathologist (SLP) evaluates the motor movements of the lips, chin, and jaw, asking questions and providing choices to determine if the child struggles with stabilizing, elevating, or tensing the tongue for the R sound.
Why do I need a speech therapy tool?
You are likely on this page because you or someone you know has difficulty saying the R sound. It can be highly frustrating to follow the directions of a speech pathologist and have no change in the R sound.
Studies show that most clients cannot discern if they are producing R correctly. They can determine if others have a distorted R, which can confuse the client and the therapist.
The Bite-R is a tool that employs sensory experiences, including mouth postures and tension in the lips, jaw, and tongue. The sensory experience cannot be experienced in any other manner.
The Bite-R Provides
Tactile Awareness of the Tongue
Once children become aware of tongue placement and tension, they can replicate the R repeatedly!
Tongue Tension
Tongue Tension is one of the essential components of clarity of speech. Vowel sounds become clearly enunciated, helping to improve the feel of the movement between vowel and R!
Spontaneous Carryover of the R Sound
Children have returned from summer break and maintained the level held in the spring.
I know what it feels like to have a client make limited progress. Seeing frustration on my client's face and feeling as though I had let him down was devestating.
The Bite-R was created to provide what I could not...tongue tension.
I wish you much success with all your clients.
Susan Haseley MS CCC-SLP and inventor of the Bite-R
Ideas for School Funding
Most School-Based Speech Language Pathologists (SLPs) have limited funding. The purchase of a tool for a single client can seem cost-prohibitive.
Consider the Bite-R because it can significantly enhance therapy outcomes, allowing for the faster dismissal of clients.
When SLPs can discharge more clients, the school district benefits from reduced staffing costs. Additionally, children spend less time away from regular class activities, aligning with educational goals.
Furthermore, the price of the Bite-R is minimal compared to the expenses associated with providing three or more school years of extended speech therapy in a school setting. Therefore, investing in the Bite-R is a cost-effective strategy that promotes efficient and effective treatment, leading to overall financial and educational benefits.
