In speech therapy, what is the goal of using semantic cues?

Using semantic cues in speech therapy primarily aims to prompt the retrieval of specific vocabulary. This technique relies on providing hints or clues related to the meaning of a word, which assists the individual in accessing their lexical knowledge. By focusing on the semantic relationships and associations of words, therapists can help clients make connections to concepts they already understand, thereby facilitating better word recall.

For instance, if a person struggles to recall the word "apple," a therapist might provide semantic cues by describing its characteristics, such as "It's a fruit that is red or green and often kept in a lunchbox." This approach helps reinforce the client’s understanding and memory of the word by linking it to familiar ideas and contexts. The ultimate goal is to enhance the client’s ability to access and use vocabulary more effectively in communication.

The other options, while important in different contexts of language development, are not directly focused on the function of semantic cues. Improving reading fluency pertains to the ability to read text smoothly and efficiently, which does not directly relate to vocabulary retrieval. Enhancing auditory processing skills relates to the ability to interpret and understand spoken language, while building sentence structure knowledge focuses on the grammatical organization of speech. Each of these aspects contributes to communication but does not specifically address the role of semantic