SEP
What is SEP (Speech Elicitation Program)?
The Speech Elicitation Program (SEP) is a structured, therapist-led approach designed to prompt, assess, and support a person’s ability to produce specific speech sounds, words, or sentences. It uses targeted techniques and tools to uncover speech patterns, identify challenges, and guide therapy for more effective communication.
About SEP
SEP is not just a testing method — it’s an interactive and purposeful communication experience.
Through carefully selected tasks like imitation, picture prompts, storytelling, and conversation, therapists elicit natural speech samples. These samples are then analyzed to understand the person’s articulation, fluency, phonology, and language comprehension.
Whether a child struggles with pronunciation, has unclear speech, or finds it hard to follow directions, SEP helps map out exactly what’s working, what’s missing, and how to move forward.
SEP Core Principles
Intentional Elicitation
Speech doesn’t happen by chance — we use structured prompts, cues, & strategies to bring out sounds.
Meaningful Context
Elicitation happens in formal and natural settings to ensure speech reflects real-world use — not just test performance.
Insight-Driven Analysis
The speech we gather isn’t recorded — it’s studied. Every sound, error, & success is a clue to unlocking communication.
SEP Services
🎯 Articulation Testing & Therapy
Using imitation, motor chaining, and speech shaping techniques for sound production (/r/, /k/, /f/, etc.)
🧩 Phonological Process Evaluation
Identifying patterns like fronting, stopping, and cluster reduction through structured speech tasks.
📖 Narrative & Language Assessment
Retelling stories and following complex directions to assess language development and comprehension.
💬 Conversational Speech Analysis
Observing spontaneous speech in natural conversations to identify strengths and social communication gaps.
🔄 Fluency & Stuttering Support
Evaluating fluency through elicited speech samples in varied emotional and cognitive contexts.
