Atypical pattern

Backing

Sounds made at the front of the mouth get replaced by sounds made at the back.

Resolves by: Not a typical developmental pattern at any age
Sounds affected: t, d
Minimal pairs: 9

What it sounds like

"tea" becomes "key"
"dough" becomes "go"
"top" becomes "cop"
"bad" becomes "bag"

Also called: Velar backing

What is going on

Backing is the mirror image of fronting: the child replaces tongue-tip sounds like /t/ and /d/ with back-of-the-tongue sounds like /k/ and /g/. "Tea" comes out as "key," and "Daddy" becomes "Gaggy."

Backing is the one pattern on this list that is not part of typical development. Unlike fronting or stopping, no stage of normal speech includes it. It is more often seen alongside other atypical patterns, and it is worth a full evaluation rather than home practice, and it tends to be more resistant to treatment than the typical processes.

What to do

Ask for an evaluation rather than practicing at home. The pairs below are for the SLP to use in session once the pattern has been looked at properly.

When to refer

Any consistent backing at any age is worth an evaluation. This is the pattern on this page that should not wait.

Print it

Backing minimal pairs9 pairs grouped by sound · PDF Backing picture pair cards6 reviewed two-picture pairs · PDF

Picture-ready minimal pairs

6 pairs

These pairs have two distinct picture subjects. Put both pictures on the table and take turns asking for one. If the two words sound alike, slow down and compare the sounds together. The printable word list has additional listening contrasts.