If you’re a speech-language pathologist who’s worked on the elusive /ɹ/ sound, you know it’s rarely a quick fix. Progress doesn’t come from repetition alone—it comes from strategic cueing, a strong auditory foundation, and the ability to meet students where they are.
Enter the Bjorem Speech® R Sound Cues (2nd Edition)! I was beyond honored when Jennie Bjorem, the author of the original R Sound Cues, asked me to collaborate with her on this project. Together, along with both our teams, we created a thoughtfully updated tool designed to support your R sound students in a way that’s engaging, flexible, and research-informed. Whether you’re starting with the basics or targeting advanced carryover, this resource brings clarity and creativity to your speech therapy sessions.
Here are five ways to use the new edition to maximize success:
1. Lay the Groundwork with Auditory and Conceptual Clarity
Before a student can produce the R sound, they need to hear it and understand how it fits into their world.
- Auditory discrimination: Use the visuals in the R Sound Cues to help students hear the difference between accurate and inaccurate productions.
- Connect to familiar sounds: This deck cleverly links the /ɹ/ to everyday noises—like a growling tiger or a grunting gorilla—making the target sound more relatable and fun for kids.
2. Find Their Strengths and Meet Them There
No two students approach the R sound the same way. Use the deck to quickly explore a variety of R contexts—from initial R to tricky vocalic R and R clusters. Once you discover what your student can do, you’ll know where to begin.
3. Reframe the Way You Talk About R
Telling a student to “say R” can backfire—especially if they’ve built up habits or frustrations around it. Try cognitive reframing by using the cue names instead. For example, instead of “Say your R,” you might say “Try the bulldog sound.” A small shift in language can lead to a big breakthrough in mindset and accuracy.
4. Focus on Movement—Especially for Vocalic R
Vocalic R can be one of the most challenging targets in speech therapy. That’s why the updated Bjorem Speech® R Sound Cues include two visuals for every vocalic R—one for the R movement and one for the associated vowel. This separation allows you to break the production into manageable parts and help your student understand what their tongue needs to do for each element.
5. Make It Meaningful (and Memorable)
These cards aren’t meant to stay on a table—they’re designed to be part of dynamic, engaging therapy. Use them in play, during storytelling, or in conversation. Model and cue naturally as your students move, imagine, and interact. The small size and bold visuals make them easy to integrate into whatever context sparks motivation.
Wrapping Up
The R sound doesn’t have to feel like a therapy roadblock. With tools like the Bjorem Speech® R Sound Cues, you’ll have everything you need to build a strong foundation, personalize your approach, and turn progress into momentum.
This updated edition is packed with fresh visuals, flexible cueing options, and practical supports—making it one of the most useful resources for targeting R elicitation in a fun, effective way.
You’ve got this—and your students do too. Now go Rock the R®, my friend!
-Lindsey
