Maximal oppositions approach uses two sounds that are maximally different in their distinctive feature components to treat which group?

• A. Moderate to severe phonological impairments
• B. Mild articulation problems
• C. Fluency disorders
• D. Voice disorders

Answer: (A)

Maximal oppositions therapy is a contrast-based approach for phonological disorders that uses two target sounds that differ as much as possible in their distinctive features. By choosing sounds that vary across multiple dimensions of place, manner, voicing, and other features, the contrast is highly salient for the child and helps recalibrate your child’s phonological system.

This approach is especially useful for moderate to severe phonological impairments, where many error patterns are present and the child’s sound inventory is limited. The large, feature-based difference between the target sounds makes the contrast easier to notice, learn from, and generalize to other sounds, helping to reduce multiple error patterns at once.

It’s not typically used for mild articulation problems, which usually benefit from more focused, motor-based practice of specific sounds rather than restructuring broader phonological patterns. It’s also not aimed at treating fluency or voice disorders, which require different therapeutic targets and techniques.