What is the clinical rationale for fading cues during therapy?

• A. To move toward independent production as accuracy improves.
• B. To shorten therapy duration at the expense of progress.
• C. To keep the patient dependent on prompts.
• D. To assess memory instead of motor planning.

Answer: (B)

Fading cues is about promoting independence in speech production as accuracy improves. By starting with clear prompts and modeling to establish correct motor patterns, then gradually reducing those cues, the patient learns to initiate, plan, and self-monitor with less external help. This strengthens motor learning and helps skills transfer to everyday speech without prompts. The goal isn’t to shorten therapy at the cost of progress, nor to keep the patient dependent on prompts, and it stays focused on motor planning and execution rather than memory. So the best rationale is to move toward independent production as accuracy improves.