In a phonological assessment, the aim is to obtain systematic and reliable data of a child's speech output, which can then serve as a basis for a decision on an appropriate intervention (Wolk & Meisler, 1998). Whether phonological assessment should be derived from an analysis of picture-naming or a conversation with the child, and whether the two methods for elicitation generate equivalent results, has been debated among clinicians and researchers for an extended time (Masterson, Bernhardt & Hofheintz, 2005). The aim of the present study was to compare two methods of speech elicitation for phonological assessment: spontaneous conversation and picture-naming, respectively. In the study, the procedures have been used when assessing children with phonological disorders as well as children with typical language development. The results are presented using two levels of phonological analysis; degree of phonological impairment, in terms of percentage of phonemes correct (PPC), and type of phonological impairment, in terms of phonological simplification processes. Eighteen (18) children participated in the study, nine (9) with phonological impairment (age 3;10 – 5;11), and nine with typical phonologic development (age 3;2 – 4;6). No significant differences were found regarding the percentage of phonemes correct between the two elicitation methods, neither for the group of children with phonological impairment, nor for the group of children with typical phonological development. Thus, the degree of speech difficulties was the same regardless of elicitation method. In assessing the type of impairment, however, a comparison between the sensitivity and the specificity obtained in the two tests indicate that there is a difference in how well the two elicitation methods intercept the phonological simplification processes. In the two elicitating methods, exactly the same processes could not be found in the speech of any child. The discussion includes the consequences of word structure, position and context of phonemes in the different speech samples. Furthermore, advantages and disadvantages of using the different elicitation methods in phonological assessment are discussed. The present study contributes to an increased knowledge about the ability to capture phonological problems sing picture-naming and conversational speech samples, respectively, in assessing a child’s speech. Furthermore, the study presents input to the on-going debate on phonological assessment, and may contribute to reflectance when selecting a clinical assessment tool.

The purpose of this research effort was to examine whether the feature retention patterns and phonological knowledge of children with suspected apraxia of speech (AOSc) in comparison to those of children with phonological impairment (PI). A second purpose was to determine if a relationship exists between phonological knowledge and feature retention. The study consisted of three groups of children: PI, AOSc, and typically developing (TD), ages four to seven. A 245-item speech sample was collected from each group. Feature retention percentages and phonological knowledge, represented by percent correct underlying representations (PCUR) were calculated for each child. All groups retained place the least, followed by manner, with voicing being retained most. The null hypothesis was confirmed, with PI and AOSc groups exhibiting no significant differences across feature retention percentages or phonological knowledge. The positive correlation of voicing retention and PCUR of the AOSc group was the only significant relationship found.

Speech production requires cooperation between cognitive, linguistic and motor processes. It also requires spatial and temporal control of muscles, as well as simultaneous and coordinated activity of respiration, phonation and articulation (Cheng, Murdoch, Goozée & Scott, 2007; Yorkston, Beukelman, Strand & Bell, 1999; Raphael, Borden & Harris, 2011). Voice Onset Time (VOT) reflects the timing between phonation and articulation (Hoit-Dalgaard, Murry & Kopp, 1983). VOT is the most reliable acoustic cue for distinguishing between voiceless or voiced plosives (Auzou et al. 2000). Studies of English-speaking children with phonological impairment have shown atypical VOT-patterns (Bond & Wilson, 1980). The aim of the present study was to investigate Voice Onset Time (VOT) among Swedish children with phonological impairment and to examine if their VOT-values differ from typically developed Swedish children. Participants were 38 children aged 4;2−11;6 distributed over eight age- groups and five developmental stages of phonology. Audio recordings of minimal pairs were made at preschools, schools or at speech pathology clinics. The results indicated that children with phonological impairment produced VOT with deviant values and with a great variability. A marked acoustic difference between voiceless and voiced stop consonants was present, but not in all cases. Since the VOT-values were distributed over the group of children with phonological impairment, no developmental trend toward adult-like values that could be related to increasing age was found for either the acquisition of producing VOT or the acquisition of producing voicing lead. No differences in VOT were seen between the children in different phonological developmental stages or ages. No correlation between the degree of deviance of VOT and the proportion of Procent Phonemes Correct (PPC), age or phonological processes were found. From the results the conclusion can be drawn that children with phonological impairment have deviant VOT-values that could be caused by lack of phonological knowledge, but in particular since the variability did not decrease with increased age, have difficulties with motor execution. / Tal kräver ett samarbete mellan kognitiva, språkliga och motoriska processer. Det kräver även spatial och temporal kontroll av muskler samt samtidig och koordinerad aktivitet av andning, fonation och artikulation (Cheng, Murdoch, Goozée & Scott, 2007; Yorkston, Beukelman, Strand & Bell, 1999; Raphael, Borden & Harris, 2011). Voice Onset Time (VOT) ger en bild av koordinationen mellan fonation och artikulation (Hoit-Dalgaard, Murry & Kopp, 1983). VOT är den mest pålitliga akustiska referensen för att kunna skilja mellan tonande och tonlösa klusiler (Auzou et al., 2000). Engelsktalande barn med fonologisk språkstörning har visat atypiska VOT-mönster (Bond & Wilson, 1980). Syftet med föreliggande studie är att undersöka Voice Onset Time (VOT) hos svensktalande barn med fonologisk språkstörning och utröna huruvida deras VOT-värden skiljer sig från VOT-värden hos barn med typisk språkutveckling. I studien deltog 38 barn i åldrarna 4;2−11;6 fördelade på åtta åldersgrupper och fem fonologiska utvecklingsstadier. Inspelningar av bildbenämning av minimala par skedde på barnens förskola, skola eller logopedmottagning. Resultatet visade att barn med fonologisk språkstörning hade avvikande VOT-värden med stor variation. Det förekom både att grupper kunde och inte kunde producera akustiska skillnader mellan tonlösa och tonande klusiler. Resultaten var så spridda i barngruppen att ingen direkt utveckling mot vuxenlika värden kunde relateras till ökad ålder för varken utveckling av VOT produktion eller vuxenlik förekomst av förton. Ingen skillnad vad gäller VOT sågs mellan barn i olika fonologiska utvecklingsstadier eller åldrar. Hur mycket ett VOT-värde avvek kunde inte förklaras av ålder, språkliga processer eller hur många korrekta fonem (PPC) som producerades. Av resultaten dras slutsatsen att barn med språkstörning har avvikande VOT-värden som delvis kan hänföras till bristande fonologisk kunskap men framförallt, eftersom variabiliteten i barnens värden inte minskade med ökad ålder kan hänföras till svårigheter med det motoriska genomförandet.

The purpose of the present study was to compare feature retention patterns between children developing speech typically (TD) and children with phonological impairment (PI) and to discuss these findings in terms of characteristics, severity, and implication for the identification of developmental apraxia of speech (DAS). A second purpose was to determine if a relationship exists between phonological knowledge and feature retention. This study consisted of a PI group and a TD group of children, ages four to six. A 245-item speech sample was collected from each subject. Feature retention percentages as well as percent correct underlying representation (PCUR) were calculated for each child. Both PI and TD groups retained place the least, voice the most, with manner falling in between. These patterns corresponded with what past researchers found in studies of children with phonological impairment and children diagnosed with DAS. No significant correlation was found between PCUR and feature retention.

Research has suggested that speech pathologists (SPs) in Australia involve parents in intervention when working with children with phonological impairment. However, details of what this practice entails are unknown. If parents are considered integral to meeting service delivery challenges regarding recommended intervention intensities, there is a need to better understand how parents are involved and trained to provide intervention. This study addresses that need. An anonymous, voluntary online survey was completed by 335 SPs in Australia who work with children with phonological impairment. Participants answered questions about how they involve and train parents, and the type of home practice activities provided. In addition, SPs were asked to identify barriers they faced when involving parents in intervention for children with phonological impairment. Overall, 96.36% of SPs involved parents in intervention. SPs reported involving parents in a range of intervention tasks, including goal planning, observing sessions, and completing home practice activities. Sixty-eight percent reported training parents to provide intervention, of whom 87.77% indicated that they do not follow a structured training program or approach when working with parents. Of note, 83.9% of SPs strongly agreed that parent involvement is essential for intervention to be effective; however, most SPs reported barriers to involving parents in intervention, notably compliance with completion of home practice activities. Although SPs consider parent involvement to be valuable, they identified several barriers to this practice. This poster will offer practical suggestions for how parent training and parent involvement could be implemented for children with phonological impairment.