Assessment of Speech - Sound Production PDF
Assessment of Speech - Sound Production PDF
Assessment of Speech - Sound Production PDF
Assessment of Speech:
Sound Production
SPEECH SOUND PRODUCTION SEVERITY RATING SCALE
Determination of Speech Impairment: Articulation
Student ________________________ School ______________________ Grade ____ Date of Rating _______ DOB _______ Age _____ SLT ________________________
0 1 3 4
Sound Production No sound/phonological process Sound errors/ phonological Sound errors/phonological Sound errors/phonological
errors; errors consistent with processes less than one year processes one to two years processes two or more years
normal development below age below age below age
0 1 2 4
Stimulability Most errors stimulable in several Most errors stimulable in at least Although not correct, most No error sounds are stimulable for
contexts one context errors approximate correct correct production
production
0 0 3 4
Oral Motor Oral motor and/or sequencing Oral motor and/or sequencing Oral motor and/or sequencing Oral motor and/or sequencing
and/or adequate for speech production difficulties are minimal and do difficulties interfere with speech greatly interfere with speech
Motor Sequencing not contribute to speech production production, use of cues, gestures
production problems or AD needed
0 2 4 6
Intelligibility Connected speech is intelligible Connected speech is intelligible; Connected speech sometimes Connected speech mostly
some errors noticeable; more unintelligible when context is unintelligible; gestures/cues
than 80% intelligible unknown; 5080% intelligible usually needed; less than 50%
intelligible
Instructions: 1. Do not include regional or dialectal differences when scoring.
2. Circle the score for the most appropriate description for each of the four categories, i.e., Sound Production, Stimulability, Oral Motor, Intelligibility.
3. Compute the total score and record below.
4. Circle the total score on the bar/scale below.
Note: Disability standards for Phonological Processing require ratings at the Moderate, Severe, or Profound Levels of Severity.
TOTAL SCORE __________
Based on compilation of the assessment data, this student scores in the Mild, Moderate or Severe range for Speech Sound Production on
the rating scale for Speech Sound Production. q Yes q No
There is documentation/supporting evidence of adverse effects of the Speech Sound Production on educational performance. q Yes q No
Determination of eligibility as a student with a Speech and/or Language Impairment is made by the IEP Team.
ED –4075 / Rev. 07.09 Speech: Sound Production Resource Packet
Department of Education
Assessment Guidelines for SpeechSound Production
SPEECH SOUND PRODUCTION CONSIDERATIONS
An articulation impairment is the “atypical production of speech sounds…that may
interfere with intelligibility” (ASHA, 1993, p. 40). Problems with sound production result
from organic (a known physical cause) or functional (no known physical cause) etiologies.
Organically based production errors may be related to Hearing Impairment, cleft lip or
palate, cerebral palsy, ankyloglossia (tonguetie) and others. The accompanying
articulation deficits are the direct result of structural or neurologic anomalies and are not
developmental in nature. Children with functional sound production problems present
with adequate hearing acuity and intellectual abilities. They show no signs of significant
structural abnormalities or neurological dysfunction. The specific errors vary from one
child to the next and are not as readily predictable as those found in organically based
disorders.
The IEP team may not identify a child as speech impaired who exhibits any of the
following:
· mild, transitory, or developmentally appropriate sound production difficulties that
students experience at various times and to various degrees,
· speech difficulties resulting from dialectal differences, learning English as a second
language, temporary physical disabilities or environmental, cultural or economic
factors,
· a tongue thrust which exists in the absence of a concomitant impairment in speech
sound production,
· elective or selective mutism or school phobia without a documented speech sound
production impairment, and
· the errors do not interfere with educational performance.
Production of sounds in connected speech is a series of complex maneuvers. Oral
communication requires exact placement, sequencing, timing, direction and force of the
articulators. These occur simultaneously with precise airstream alteration, initiation or
halting of phonation and velopharyngeal action. Consequently, assessment of speech
sound production is a multifaceted procedure requiring a good deal of skill and
knowledge.
Components for a comprehensive assessment include:
· articulation assessment and/or phonological processes assessment,
· developmental information/profile,
· stimulability probe of errors,
· oral peripheral examination,
· analysis of intelligibility (may include a combination or all items listed below),
o analysis of errors
§ number of errors/percentage of consonants correct (PCC)
§ error types (substitutions, omissions, distortions, additions)
§ form of errors, error patterns (phonological processes)
§ consistency of errors
§ frequency of errors
o rate of speech
· documentation of adverse effect on educational performance, and
· hearing screening.
Each of these components is discussed in greater detail in the following section.
ED –4075 / Rev. 07.09 Speech: Sound Production Resource Packet
Department of Education
CONDUCTING A SPEECH EVALUATION FOR ARTICULATION OR PHONOLOGICAL PROCESSES
· Conduct hearing and vision screenings.
· Obtain relevant information from the parents (i.e., concerns about communication
skills, developmental history, etc.)
· Obtain information from teachers related to progress in the general curriculum,
communication skills, behavior and social interactions. Information must be gathered
from two educators: the student’s classroom teacher as well as another professional.
For preschoolers, obtain this information from child care providers or adults who see
the child outside the family structure.
· Review school records, e.g., grades, test scores, special education records,
documentation of prereferral strategies/interventions and discipline and attendance
records.
· Complete an oralperipheral examination.
· Administer an articulation test and/or a test of phonological processes. If a
preschooler is unable to participate in assessment using standardized measures,
document the attempt and obtain a phoneme inventory from a speech sample.
· Conduct stimulability probes to determine how well the student can imitate correct
production of error sounds. Stimulability refers to the student’s ability to produce a
correct (or improved) production of the erred sound given oral and visual modeling.
Most articulation tests include this step on the test form.
· Obtain and analyze a speech sample to determine intelligibility of conversational
speech and consistency of error patterns.
· Document how sound production errors adversely affect the student’s educational
performance in the general education classroom or the learning environment.
· Complete the Speech Sound Production Severity Rating Scale using data from the
assessment.
· Finalize and submit to the IEP team a Speech and Language Evaluation Report.
COMPONENTS OF THE ASSESSMENT
Articulation or Phonological Processes Assessment
Generally, errors in sound production are classified as either motorbased or
cognitive/linguisticbased (Bernthal and Bankson, 1988).
Articulation Errors
Articulation errors (substitutions, distortions, omissions, and/or additions) are typically
considered motorbased errors. Articulation, which refers to the actual movements of the
articulators during speech production, is subsumed under the generic term phonology. An
articulation problem may be defined as difficulty in producing a single or a few sounds with
no pattern or derivable rule. It is considered to be the result of phonemic, rather than
phonological inadequacy (i.e., the problem results from the student’s not having “learned”
all of the sounds). Articulation testing is concerned primarily with identifying those sounds
that the student has difficulty producing. Intervention is focused on correcting individual
error sounds, one by one.
ED –4075 / Rev. 07.09 Speech: Sound Production Resource Packet
Department of Education
Phonological Processes
Phonological process deviations are considered to be cognitive/linguisticbased. Students
with phonological process problems demonstrate difficulty in acquiring a phonological
system, not necessarily in production of the sounds. The phonological system of a
language governs the ways in which sounds can be combined to form words. A
phonological process is a systematic sound change that affects classes of sounds or
sound sequences and results in a simplification of production. Errors have logical and
coherent principles underlying their use. The errors can be grouped on some principle
and thus form patterns. The student’s patterns of “simplification” of sound usage severely
affect intelligibility. In contrast to articulation testing, phonological assessment is
concerned not only with production skills, but also with the way sounds are sequenced
and used in contrast to signal meaning differences. Philosophy, assessment, and method
of intervention addressing phonological processes must necessarily differ markedly from
traditional approaches to either functional or organic articulation problems. The goal of
phonological intervention is not to perfect individual sounds, but rather to eliminate
phonological processes. It aims at a reorganization of the student’s phonological system,
thereby improving intelligibility.
Some SLTs, as well as some of the professional literature, classify phonological process
errors as a languagebased impairment. However, for purposes of these guidelines,
phonological process errors are included, along with articulation errors, under the
category of Speech Sound Production. The decision to administer an articulation test
versus a phonological process analysis is based on the examiner’s professional judgment.
If the errors are nonorganic (i.e., not due to structural deviations or neuromotor control
problems) the most discriminating factor to aid in the decision is that of intelligibility – the
more unintelligible the student’s speech, the greater the need for phonological process
analysis. When evaluating students whose intelligibility factor is moderate to severe or
profound, tests of phonological processes will prove more diagnostically valuable than
traditional articulation tests.
In some cases the examiner may complete a process analysis after first administering an
articulation test. Some phonological processes can be detected from the results of
traditional articulation tests. For example, when most of the phonemes in the final position
column of the articulation test form show a deletion symbol, perceptive examiners can
recognize the pattern of final consonant deletion. Most substitution and deletion
processes can be identified in this manner, particularly if the examiner is familiar with
phonological process terminology and descriptions. For example, the student who
produces /p/ for /f/, /b/ for /v/, /t/ for /s/, and /d/ for /z/ is replacing a fricative with a stop, a
process commonly known as Stopping. Other error patterns, however, are not as easily
identified from traditional articulation test results. Depending upon the complexity of the
student’s errors, a more indepth phonological analysis may be indicated in order to
identify all processes used by the student. This indepth analysis becomes particularly
important in determining the hierarchy of intervention targets.
ED –4075 / Rev. 07.09 Speech: Sound Production Resource Packet
Department of Education
The advantage of identifying phonological error patterns is that those patterns can then be
targeted for remediation, thereby affecting more than one sound at a time. For example, if
a student exhibits a final consonant deletion pattern, you may choose to target final
consonants in general rather than focus on each and every sound that is omitted at the
end of words.
It should be noted that an articulation assessment and phonological process analysis can
be derived without the use of a published standardized assessment instrument.
Developmental Information/Profile
Norms are helpful for estimating approximately how well a student’s sounds are
developing. Although norms are extremely useful, there are limitations to overrelying on
or using them exclusively to identify a sound production impairment. Several factors limit
their value. An age norm is only an average age at which a behavior occurs. Most norms
do not reflect normal and acceptable developmental variability. Certain errors are
developmentally appropriate while others are not. Different norms are rarely in agreement
with each other. The differences are caused by many factors, including when the study
was conducted, where the study was conducted, the size and characteristics of the
sample, the research design followed, and the mastery criteria used.
Articulation tests usually elicit phonemes in only one phonetic context within a pre
selected word. There may be other contexts and words in which the student can/cannot
produce the target sound correctly. Most tests elicit phonemes at the word level for the
assessment of initial, medial and final position production. Conversational speech,
however, is made up of complex, coarticulated movements in which discrete initial,
medial, and final sounds may not occur. Thus, sound productions in single words may
differ from those in spontaneous speech. Keep in mind that normative data tell only part
of the story when assessing for a speech sound production impairment.
Phonological Processes
The following are minimal requirements for qualifying a sound change error as a
phonological process:
1. A process must affect more than one sound from a given sound class. For example,
the omission of [t] from the end of words does not necessarily signal the process of
final consonant deletion. Deletion of at least one additional plosive [p, b, d, k, g] must
also be observed.
2. The sound change or process must occur at least 40% of the time. An inconsistent
sound change indicates only a potential phonological process. In other words, if the
student uttered ten words containing final consonants, s/he must delete the consonant
in at least four of those words in order for the pattern to be considered as that of final
consonant deletion. An inconsistent sound change may also signal that the student is
in a transition phase of development, i.e., the student is gradually eliminating the
process on his/her own as sound productions become more developmentally
appropriate.
ED –4075 / Rev. 07.09 Speech: Sound Production Resource Packet
Department of Education
Stimulability Probe of Errors
Stimulability refers to the student’s ability to produce a correct (or improved) production of
the erred sound given oral and visual modeling. Most articulation tests include this step
on the test form. It is not necessary to assess stimulability for sounds produced correctly,
only those in error.
Directions for assessing stimulability
1. Ask the student to watch, listen carefully, and say what you say. Do not give special
instructions on the correct production.
2. Model the production of each selected phoneme in isolation and ask the student to
imitate. Begin modeling for consonant blends at the syllable level.
3. If the student is successful, go on to the syllable level, modeling for each position
(initial, medial, and final).
4. If the student is successful at the syllable level, proceed to the word level, modeling for
each position.
5. If the student is successful at the word level, you may wish to proceed to the
phrase/sentence level, modeling for each position.
6. If the student fails to imitate a stimulus correctly at any level (isolation, syllable, or
word), ask the student to watch and listen carefully to the following directions:
· Say the stimulus three times (multiple stimulations).
· Have the student try again.
· If the student repeats successfully, continue to the next level of complexity.
· If the student cannot imitate the stimulus correctly after multiple stimulations,
discontinue stimulation with that sound.
The assessment of stimulability provides important prognostic information. Moreover,
those behaviors that are most easily stimulated can provide excellent starting points for
intervention. They often lead to intervention success quicker than other, less stimulable
behaviors.
INTERPRETING AND REPORTING EVALUATION RESULTS
When assessing articulation skills, the sound in question must be in error in at least two
positions (initial, medial, or final). Information gathered from the formal/informal
assessment instrument(s) regarding sound production errors is to be compared to the
developmental norms or charts:
· Sound Development Norms chart – The cutoff point is one year beyond the reported
age of acquisition for each sound position.
· All other developmental norms or charts – The cutoff point is the exact age as
reported for each phoneme.
Analysis of Intelligibility – Phoneme Production in Conversational Speech
By three years of age, a child’s spontaneous speech should be at least 50% intelligible to
unfamiliar adults. By four years of age, a child’s spontaneous speech should be
intelligible to unfamiliar adults, even though some articulation and phonological
differences are likely to be present.
ED –4075 / Rev. 07.09 Speech: Sound Production Resource Packet
Department of Education
There are many factors that can negatively influence intelligibility, including:
· Number of errors (Generally, the greater the number of sound errors, the poorer the
intelligibility.)
· Types of sound errors (Phonological process errors affect intelligibility to a greater
degree than simple articulation errors.)
· Inconsistency of errors
· Vowel errors
· Rate of speech (especially if it is excessively slow or fast)
· Atypical prosodic characteristics of speech (i.e., abnormal intonation or stress)
· Length and linguistic complexity of the words and utterances used
· Student’s anxiety about the testing situation and/or fatigue (Fatigue particularly affects
very young children.)
Almost all published test instruments provide guidelines to help evaluate information
obtained during test administration. While this information is helpful, it is certainly not an
all inclusive analysis. A comprehensive examination of speech sound production would
generally include some of the bulleted items listed in “Analysis of Errors” below. Much of
this information is gathered through speech sampling. This type of analysis can be time
consuming. Depending on the severity, scope, and impact of the speech sound
production problem, an indepth and detailed analysis will not be warranted for all
students referred for formal evaluation. The examiner should use professional judgment
when determining which measures are appropriate for the student being evaluated.
Information is included here for each of the subsections listed in the Speech Sound
Production Considerations segment earlier in this section. In any case, the evaluation
must necessarily include observation and/or data related to speech intelligibility since this
item is specifically addressed in the Eligibility Standards for Speech Impairment, i.e.,
“Evaluation of articulation abilities shall include…analysis of phoneme production in
conversational speech”. Intelligibility is also specifically addressed on the Speech Sound
Production Severity Rating Scale.
Analysis of Errors
· Error Types – The types of errors identified by traditional articulation tests generally
fall into four major categories: (1) Substitutions (2) Omissions (3) Distortions, and
(4) Additions. Typically, the presence of omissions and additions affect intelligibility to
a greater degree than substitutions and distortions. In addition to providing descriptive
information as to the problem, analyzing error types also helps to select, prioritize and
plan intervention targets.
· Form of Errors/Error Patterns – An inventory of phonological processes is most
valuable when evaluating students who have poor speech intelligibility due to multiple
articulation errors. Phonological processes describe what children do in the normal
developmental process of speech to simplify standard adult productions. When a
student uses many different processes or uses processes that are not typically
present for his/her developmental age, intelligibility will be affected. The following list
of error patterns is arranged in descending order from most to least effect on
intelligibility.
ED –4075 / Rev. 07.09 Speech: Sound Production Resource Packet
Department of Education
Beginning of Word End of Word
Fronting Final Consonant Deletion
Initial Voicing Fronting
Stopping Word Final Devoicing
Custer Reduction
· Consistency of Errors – The assessment data and/or speech sample should be
analyzed for consistency of errors between the speech sample and the articulation
test/phonological process assessment within the same speech sample and between
different speech samples. A student may be able to produce a designated sound
correctly at the single word level, yet correct productions may break down as the
length and complexity of utterances increase. Typically, more sound errors will be
identified during the connected speech sample.
· Frequency of Occurrence – Frequency of occurrence refers to the relative frequency
or percentage of occurrence of a sound in continuous speech. It should be noted that
the sounds [n, t, s, r, d, and m], cumulatively represent nearly onehalf of the total
consonants used. When misarticulated, these sounds will have a greater negative
effect on speech intelligibility than the less frequently occurring sounds such as /zh/,
/ch/, /j/, and voiceless /th/.
Rate of Speech
Occasionally a student’s speech rate can directly affect articulation and intelligibility.
Speech rates vary tremendously among normal speakers, making it difficult to assign a
standard wordperminute (WPM) index. Purcell and Runyan (1980) measured the
speaking rates of students in the first through fifth grades and found a slight increase in
their average rate at each grade level. The first graders averaged 125 words per minute,
and the fifth graders averaged 142 words per minute. It is imperative to recognize that
some people who speak exceedingly fast or slow still have excellent intelligibility and
control of their speech, while others exhibit significant communication problems due to their
rate.
The importance of measuring rate of speech does not lie in comparing it with pre
established norms, which only indicate whether the speech rate is normal, faster than
normal, or slower than normal. The value of assessing rate of speech is that it allows
evaluation of its effect on the student’s communication abilities. Will the use of a faster or
slower rate result in better communication? Can a better speech rate be elicited? Can it
be maintained? These are important questions to consider when assessing the
implications of speech rate on intelligibility.
ED –4075 / Rev. 07.09 Speech: Sound Production Resource Packet
Department of Education
Intelligibility, although a critical concept in the evaluation of articulation and phonological
process disorders, is notoriously difficult to measure objectively. In most cases there are
multiple factors that influence overall intelligibility. Keep the following tips in mind when
rating/determining intelligibility:
· Identify factors that affect intelligibility.
· View the intelligibility rating as being approximate, rather than absolute or definitive.
Report intelligibility in ranges (e.g., 6575%), particularly when intelligibility varies. A
student may be 90100% intelligible when speaking in utterances of one to three
syllables. The same student, however, may be only 50% intelligible in utterances of
four or more syllables.
· Take more than one conversational sample and seek varied environments when
possible.
USING THE SPEECH SOUND PRODUCTION SEVERITY RATING SCALE
The Speech Sound Production Severity Rating Scale is to be used as a tool after a
complete assessment of the student’s sound production performance. The scale is
designed to assist the examiner with interpretation and documentation of the results of
assessment findings in terms of severity or intensity. This is not a diagnostic instrument
and should not be used in the absence of assessment data.
In order to be identified as a student with a speech impairment in articulation, the
deviation(s) in sound production must be determined to have an “adverse effect on
educational performance.” The rating scale serves three purposes:
1. to document the absence or presence of a speech sound production deviation and to
what degree ( Mild, Moderate or Severe).
2. to indicate the absence or presence of “adverse effect on educational performance.”
3. to determine whether or not the student meets eligibility standards for a Speech
Impairment in Articulation.
“Educational performance” refers to the student’s ability to participate in the educational
process and must include consideration of the student’s social, emotional, academic, and
vocational performance. The presence of any deviation in speech sound production does
not automatically indicate an adverse effect on the student’s ability to function within the
educational setting. The deviation must be shown to interfere with the student’s ability to
perform in the educational setting before a disability is determined. The effect on
educational performance is, therefore, best determined through classroom observations,
consultation with classroom and special education teachers, and interviews with parents
and the student. Teacher checklists are useful for determining specifically how the sound
production problem affects educational performance.
ED –4075 / Rev. 07.09 Speech: Sound Production Resource Packet
Department of Education
TEACHER INPUT – SPEECH SOUND PRODUCTION
Student: ___________________ School: _______________Teacher: _______________ Grade: _____
Your observations and responses concerning the above student will help determine if a sound production problem which adversely
affects educational performance. Please return the completed form to the SpeechLanguage Teacher
Does the student avoid speaking in class or in other situations because of
his/her production errors? ___ ___ ___ ___
Does the student’s speech distract listeners from what the student is
saying? ___ ___ ___ ___
Does the student have ageappropriate awareness of sounds in words
and ability to rhyme, segment, and manipulate sounds in words? ___ ___ ___ ___
Does the student make the same errors when reading aloud as s/he does
when speaking? ___ ___ ___ ___
Does the student have difficulty discriminating sounds and/or words from
each other? ___ ___ ___ ___
Does the student make spelling errors that appear to be associated with
speaking errors? ___ ___ ___ ___
Does the student mispronounce during reading of words containing error
sounds? ___ ___ ___ ___
Rate the impact of the student’s speech errors on his/her social,
emotional, academic and/or vocational functioning. Check one:
q does not interfere q minimal impact
q interferes q seriously limits
Do you have any other observations relating to the articulation skills of this student? _______________________
__________________________________________________________________________________________
If yes, provide explanation: ______________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________ ________________
Classroom Teacher Signature Date
ED –4075 / Rev. 07.09 Speech: Sound Production Resource Packet
Department of Education
GFT Sound Development Norms
2
/b/, /d/, /h/, /m/, /n/, /p/ /b/, /m/, /n/ /m/, /p/
3
/f/, /g/, /k/, /t/, /w/ /f/, /g/, /k/, /ŋ/, /p/, t/ /b/, /d/, /g/, /k/, /n/, /t/
4
/kw/ /d/ /f/
5
/ʧ/, /ʤ/, /ǀ/, /s/, /ʃ/, /ɭ//, /ʧ/, /ʤ/, /ǀ/, /s/, /ʃ/, /z/ /ǀ/, /ŋ/, /ʧ/ /ʤ/ /s/, / ʃ/
/bl/ /r/, /v/, /z/
6
/r/, /v/, /br/, /dr/, /fl/, /fr/, /r/, /v/
/gl/, /gr/, /kl/, /kr/, /pl/,
/st/, /tr/
7
/z/, /sl/, /sp/, /sw/, /ǒ/, /Ɵ/ /ǒ/ /Ɵ/
8
/Ɵ/
This information was obtained from the GoldmanFristoe Test of Articulation2. The data is based on the age at which 85% of GFTA2 standardization sample correctly
produced consonant and consonant cluster sounds. The above data includes the 38 consonants and consonant clusters assessed in the SoundsinWords portion of the
GFTA2.
ED –4075 / Rev. 07.09 Speech: Sound Production Resource Packet
Department of Education
Sound Development Chart – Females
Listed below are the recommended ages of acquisition for phonemes and clusters, based generally on the age at which 90%
of the children correctly produced that sound. These recommended ages are for phonetic acquisition only.
Phoneme yrs:mo 3:0 3:6 4:0 4:6 5:0 5:6 6:0 6:6 7:0 7:6 8:0 8:6 9:0
m
h initial
w initial
p
b
d
f
k
g
n
j initial
t
th voiced
l
f final
v
sh
ch
l final
th
dz
r
r final voiced
ng final
s
z
Wordinitial clusters 3:0 3:6 4:0 4:6 5:0 5:6 6:0 6:6 7:0 7:6 8:0 8:6 9:0
tw kw
pl bp kl gl fl
pr br tr dr kr gr fr
sp st sk
sm sn
sw
sl
skw
spl
spr str skr
thr
Source: IowaNebraska Articulation Norms
ED –4075 / Rev. 07.09 Speech: Sound Production Resource Packet
Department of Education
Sound Development Chart – Males
Listed below are the recommended ages of acquisition for phonemes and clusters, based generally on the age at which 90% of
the children correctly produced that sound. These recommended ages are for phonetic acquisition only.
Phoneme yrs:mo 3:0 3:6 4:0 4:6 5:0 5:6 6:0 6:6 7:0 7:6 8:0 8:6 9:0
m
h initial
w initial
p
b
n
d
f
k
t
g
j initial
f final
v
l
sh
ch
l final
th voiced
dz
th
r
r final voiced
ng final
s
z
Wordinitial clusters 3:0 3:6 4:0 4:6 5:0 5:6 6:0 6:6 7:0 7:6 8:0 8:6 9:0
tw kw
pl bp kl gl fl
pr br tr dr kr gr fr
sp st sk
sm sn
sw
sl
skw
spl
spr str skr
thr
Source: IowaNebraska Articulation Norms.
ED –4075 / Rev. 07.09 Speech: Sound Production Resource Packet
Department of Education
Age Ranges of Normal Consonant Development 1
Age Level
2 3 4 5 6 7 8
/p/
/m/
/h/
/n/
/w/
/b/
/k/
/g/
/d/
/t/
/ŋ/
/f/
/j/
/r/
/l/
/s/
/ʧ/
/ʃ/
/z/
/ʤ/
/v/
/Ɵ/
/ð
/ʒ/
Average age estimates and upper age limits of customary consonant production.. The solid bar corresponding to each sound starts at
the median age of customary articulation; it stops at age level at which 90% of all children are producing the sound (data from Templin,
1957; Wellman et al., 1931). From E. Sander (1972), “When Are Speech Sounds Learned? Journal of Speech and Hearing Disorders,
37, 5563.
_______________________________
1
Assessment in SpeechLanguage Pathology CD ROM. Copyright © 1998 by Singular Publishing Group.
ED –4075 / Rev. 07.09 Speech: Sound Production Resource Packet
Department of Education
ED –4075 / Rev. 07.09 Speech: Sound Production Resource Packet
Department of Education
Five Commonly Cited Norms for Consonant Development
m 3 3 ½ 3 before 2 2
n 5 4 ½ 3 before 2 2
h 3 3 ½ 3 before 2 2
p 4 3 ½ 3 before 2 2
f 3 5 ½ 3 3 2 – 4
w 3 3 ½ 4 before 2 2 – 8
b 3 3 ½ 4 4 before 2 2 – 8
ŋ 4 ½ 3 2 2 2
j 4 4 ½ 3 ½ 3 2 – 4
k 4 4 ½ 4 2 2 – 4
g 4 4 ½ 4 2 2 – 4
l 4 4 ½ 4 2 2 – 4
d 5 4 ½ 4 2 2 – 4
ʧ 5 4 ½ 4 3 – 8
v 5 6 ½ 6 4 4
z 5 5 ½ 5 6 4
ʒ 6 6 ½ 7 6 4
Ɵ 7 ½ 6 5 4
ʤ 7 4 4
ʃ 6 ½ 4 ½ 4 4 – 8
ð 6 ½ 4 ½ 4 3 – 8
Source: Reprinted with the permission of Merrill, an imprint of Macmillan Publishing Company from Assessment and
Remediation of Articulatory and Phonological Disorders
ED –4075 / Rev. 07.09 Speech: Sound Production Resource Packet
Department of Education
Source: Developmental Articulation and Phonology Profile. Academic Communication Associates (1997)
ED –4075 / Rev. 07.09 Speech: Sound Production Resource Packet
Department of Education
ED –4075 / Rev. 07.09 Speech: Sound Production Resource Packet
Department of Education
Normative Data: These guidelines for determining if a process should be a concern are reprinted with permission from
Rules Phonological Evaluation (Webb and Duckett, 1990a). These guidelines are based on normative data collected from
the literature and from field testing (Webb and Duckett, 1990b, 1992). Each horizontal bar in the chart above identifies the
age ranges when phonological processes disappear in normally developing children
ED –4075 / Rev. 07.09 Speech: Sound Production Resource Packet
Department of Education
ED –4075 / Rev. 07.09 Speech: Sound Production Resource Packet
Department of Education
ED –4075 / Rev. 07.09 Speech: Sound Production Resource Packet
Department of Education
Phonological Processes
Definition: Systematic changes that affect entire phoneme classes or phoneme sequences. These changes are age
appropriate up to the ages listed below.
Page 1 of 3
Ages DELETIONS
2 1. Initial Consonant Deletion at/hat
3 2. Final Consonant Deletion no/noze
4 3. Consonant Cluster Reduction tap/stop (deleting one or more)
SUBSTITUTIONS
3 ½ – 5 1. Stopping ton/sun dus/juice
3 2. Voicing/Devoicing die/tie crip/crib
3 – 6 3. Gliding ju/shoe wef/leaf weed/read
4 – 5 4. Fronting/Backing dum/gum sue/shoe/ cop/top
5 – 6 5. Affrication/Deaffrication chew/shoe ship/chip
ASSIMILATION
3 – 4 1. Progressive beb/bed dod/dog
3 – 4 2. Regressive lellow/yellow fwim/swim
or
3 3. Velar Assimilation gog/dog
3 – 4 4. Labial Assimilation beb/bed fwim/swim
4 5. Alveolar Assimilation lellow/yellow dod/dog
3 6. Nasal Assimilation neon/pencil
OTHER (infrequent)
3 – 4 1. Vocalization (vowelization) bado/bottle ka/cartefon/telephone
4 2. Weak Syllable Deletion asks/ask
7 3. Transposition (Metathesis) mud/mother
5 4. Vowel Naturalization op/stop k/cats
2 5. CC Deletion wawa/water d du/thank you
2 6. Reduplication
Bennett (11/85: 9/87) Adapted from Hodson (1980); Ingram (1981); Shribert & Kwiakowski (1981); Kahn (1982).
ED –4075 / Rev. 07.09 Speech: Sound Production Resource Packet
Department of Education
Phonological Processes
Page 2 of 3
Phonological Developmental
Process Description Example Information
A. Syllable Structure
Processes Reduction of CVC words or Children who are developing
1. Deletion of Final syllables to CV form, not usually
book → /b ð/
language normally will begin to
Consonant sound specific include final consonants by age
1
3 .
2. Cluster Reduction Simplification of clusters of tree → /ti/ Most children (90%) do not use
1
consonants usually by deleting cluster reduction after age 4.
the one that is most difficult to
produce
3. Weak Syllable Deletion Deletion of unstressed syllables telephone→ /t fon/ Process does not exist in
speech of normally developing
1
children beyond age 4
4. Glottal Replacement Replacement of final consonant kitchen→ /kiʔən/
of a syllable, usually in the
intervocalic position, by a glottal
stop; may mark the place of a
consonant that is deleted.
B. Harmony Processes Substitution of a labial phoneme thum→ /wʌm/
1. Labial Assimilation for a nonlabial phoneme due to
influence of a dominant labial
phoneme contained within the
word
2. Alveolar Assimilation Substitution of a phoneme yellow→ /lɛlo/
which is produced with alveolar
placement for a nonalveolar
phoneme due to influence of a
dominant alveolar phoneme
within the word
3. Velar Assimilation Substitution of a phoneme dog→ /gɔg/
which is produced with velar
placement for a nonvelar
phoneme due to influence of a
dominant velar phoneme within
the word
4. Prevocalic Voicing Substitution of a voiced stop for pig→ /big/
its voiceless cognate due to
influence of the following vowel
5. Final Consonant Substitution of a voiceless stop bed→ /bɛt/ Devoicing of final consonants
Devoicing for its voiced cognate due to does not occur after age 3 in
influence of the silence normal phonological
1
following the word development
Source: From Speech and Language Services in Michigan: Suggestions for Identification, Delivery of Service and Exit Criteria, edited by
Elizabeth Loring Lockwood and Kathleen Pistano. East Lansing: the Michigan SpeechLanguageHearing Association 1991. Used with
permission.
1
Phonological Disability in Children cited by Linda M. Laila Khan. “A Review of 16 Major Phonological Processes.” Language, Speech, and
Hearing Services in Schools. (April 1982). pp. 7785.
ED –4075 / Rev. 07.09 Speech: Sound Production Resource Packet
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Phonological Processes
Page 3 of 3
Phonological Developmental
Process Description Example Information
C. Feature Contrast
Processes Substitution of a stop for a
sun →/tʌɳ/
1. Stopping fricative
Source: From Speech and Language Services in Michigan: Suggestions for Identification, Delivery of Service and Exit Criteria, edited by
Elizabeth Loring Lockwood and Kathleen Pistano. East Lansing: the Michigan SpeechLanguageHearing Association 1991. Used with
permission.
1
Phonological Disability in Children cited by Linda M. Laila Khan. “A Review of 16 Major Phonological Processes.” Language, Speech, and
Hearing Services in Schools. (April 1982). pp. 7785.
Natural Process Analysis. cited by Linda M. Laila Khan, “A Review of 16 Major Phonological Processes.” Language, Speech, and Hearing
Services in Schools. (April 1982). pp. 7785
ED –4075 / Rev. 07.09 Speech: Sound Production Resource Packet
Department of Education
Assessing Intelligibility Worksheet 1
Name ____________________________________ Age _______ Date ___________
Examiner _________________________________
Testing Situation
Stimuli (conversation, materials used, etc.) _______________________________________________
Client’s level of anxiety _______________________________________________________________
Talkative/Not talkative _______________________________________________________________
Prompts used ______________________________________________________________________
Representativeness of sample _________________________________________________________
Instructions
I. Write out each word in each utterance (use phonetics if possible).
2. Use a dash (—) to indicate each unintelligible word.
3. An utterance is considered intelligible only if the entire utterance can be understood.
4. Calculate intelligibility for words and utterances.
Example:
#Intelligible Total #Intelligible Total
Words Words Utterances Utterances
1. hi w Ɛ nt horn 3 3 1 1
2. ar ju – tu go 4 5 1 1
3. - - Ɵm 1 3 0 1
4. pwiz pwe wrf mi 1 4 1 1
5. αr wαnt to go 5 5 1 1
hom
Totals 14 20 4 5
Intelligible words: 14 70% Intelligible utterances: 4 80%
Total words: 20 Total utterances: 5
1
Assessnient in SpeechLanguage Pathology CD RUM, Singular Publishing Group
ED –4075 / Rev. 07.09 Speech: Sound Production Resource Packet
Department of Education
Assessing Intelligibility Worksheet
PAGE 1 of 2
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ED –4075 / Rev. 07.09 Speech: Sound Production Resource Packet
Department of Education
Assessing Intelligibility Worksheet
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TOTALS _____ _____ _____ _____
FINDINGS
Average # Words per Utterance ____________________
% Intelligibility: Words _______________
% Intelligibility: Utterances ____________
ED –4075 / Rev. 07.09 Speech: Sound Production Resource Packet
Department of Education
Stimulability Worksheets
Name _______________________________________ School _________________________________
Date ______________ DOB/Age __________ /_____ Examiner _______________________________
Instructions: Circle each sound checked for stimulability. Record results under the appropriate category using a check
(√) or plus (+) for success and zero (0) or minus () for failure. If a sound requires multiple stimulation, indicate this with
an asterisk (*) next to the plus or minus.
ED –4075 / Rev. 07.09 Speech: Sound Production Resource Packet
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Words and Phrases for Assessing Stimulability
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ED –4075 / Rev. 07.09 Speech: Sound Production Resource Packet
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Words and Phrases for Assessing Stimulability
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Words and Phrases for Assessing Stimulability
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ED –4075 / Rev. 07.09 Speech: Sound Production Resource Packet
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Words and Phrases for Assessing Stimulability
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Words and Phrases for Assessing Stimulability
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ED –4075 / Rev. 07.09 Speech: Sound Production Resource Packet
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Words and Phrases for Assessing Stimulability
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ED –4075 / Rev. 07.09 Speech: Sound Production Resource Packet
Department of Education
Characteristics of Apraxia of Speech 1
• The number of misarticulations increases as the complexity of the speech task
increases.
• Misarticulations occur on both consonants and vowels. Articulation errors occur
more frequently on consonant clusters than on singletons. Vowels are misarticulated
less frequently than consonants.
• Sounds in the initial position are affected more often than sounds in the medial or
final positions.
• The frequency of specific sound errors is related, at least in part, to the frequency of
occurrence in speech. More errors are noted with less frequently occurring sounds.
• Sound substitutions, omissions, distortions, and additions are all observed. The
most frequent misarticulations are substitutions and omissions.
• Articulation errors and struggle behaviors increase as the length and complexity of
the target word, phrase, or sentence increases.
• Speech production is variable. It is common for a person with apraxia of speech to
produce a sound, syllable, word, or phrase correctly on one occasion and then
incorrectly on another. It is also common to observe several different
misarticulations for the same target sound.
• Struggling behaviors (such as groping to position the articulators correctly) are
observed in many patients with apraxia of speech.
• Automatic speech activities (such as counting to 10 or naming the days of the week)
tend to be easier and more errorfree than volitional speech. Reactive speech (such
as “thank you” or “I’m fine”) is also easier for students with apraxia of speech to
produce.
• Metathetic errors (errors of sound or syllable transposition) are common. For
example, the student may say snapknack for knapsack or guspetti for spaghetti.
1 1Darley (1982); Darley, Aronson, and Brown (1975); Duffy (1995); Haynes (1985); Rosenbek 0985); Rosenbek. Kent, and LaPointe (1984);
Shipley. Recor. and Nakamura (1990). Assessment in SpeechLanguage Pathology CD ROM Copyright 0 1998 by Singular Publishing Group.
ED –4075 / Rev. 07.09 Speech: Sound Production Resource Packet
Department of Education
• “Syllable collapses” may occur. Syllable collapses are not commonly reported in
the literature, but are a common characteristic. The student reduces and/or
disrupts the number of syllables in motorically complex words or phrases. For
example, a student might say glost gers for Los Angeles Dodgers or be neers
for Tampa Bay Buccaneers. In both examples, the number of syllables is
collapsed and the remaining syllables are inaccurately produced.
• Receptive language abilities are often, but not always, superior to expressive
abilities. However, the language skills are separate from the apraxia.
• People with apraxia of speech are usually aware of their incorrect articulatory
productions. Therefore, they may be able to identify many of their own correct
and incorrect productions without feedback from the SpeechLanguage
Therapist.
• Apraxia of speech can occur in isolation or in combination with other
communicative disorders such as dysarthria, delayed speech or language
development, aphasia, and/or hearing loss.
• Oral apraxia and/or limb apraxia may or may not be present with apraxia of
speech. Frequently an individual with oral apraxia will also have apraxia of
speech.
• Severity varies from student to student. Some students cannot volitionally
produce a target vowel such as /a/, and others exhibit speech that is fine until
they attempt to produce motorically challenging phrases such as statistical
analysis or theoretical implications.
ED –4075 / Rev. 07.09 Speech: Sound Production Resource Packet
Department of Education
Identifying Apraxia of Speech 1
Name: ______________________ Age: ____ Date: ________ Examiner: _____________________
Instructions: Evaluate each behavior in automatic speech, spontaneous speech, and oral
reading. Mark a plus (+) if the child has no difficulty. Use the severity scale if the child does
exhibit problems with production. Add comments on the righthand side as needed.
1 = mild difficulties
2 = moderate difficulties
3 = severe difficulties
· numerous and varied offtarget attempts __________
· highly inconsistent errors ______________________
· errors increase with phonemic complexity _________
· fewer errors in automatic speech ________________
· marked difficulties initiating speech _______________
· intrudes a schwa sound /ә/ _____________________
· abnormal prosodic features _____________________
· awareness of errors with reduced ability ___________
· receptiveexpressive language gap ______________
1
Adapted from B. Dabul, Apraxia Battery for Adults. Austin, TX: PROED. Copyright © 1986 and used by permission.
Assessment in SpeechLanguage Pathology CD ROM, 1998 Singular Publishing Group
ED –4075 / Rev. 07.09 Speech: Sound Production Resource Packet
Department of Education
Checklists for Limb, Oral, & Verbal Apraxia 1
Name: ____________________________________ Age: _________ Date: ______________
Examiner: __________________________________________________________________
Instructions: Select several items from each section and ask the student to complete the task or repeat the utterance.
Many items are provided to offer a wide range of tasks; you do not need to complete each item. Score each presented item as
correct (+ or √) or incorrect (– or Ø). Transcribe errors phonetically on the righthand side. Also note accompanying behaviors
such as delays with initiation, struggling, groping, or facial grimacing. The diagnosis of apraxia is made by evaluating the nature
and accuracy of movement, as well as the type and severity of error patterns present.
Limb Apraxia Comments
___________ wave hello or goodbye _______________________________________________________________
___________ make a fist ________________________________________________________________________
___________ make the “thumbs up” sign ____________________________________________________________
___________ make the “okay” sign ________________________________________________________________
___________ pretend you’re zipping your coat _______________________________________________________
___________ pretend you’re combing your hair _______________________________________________________
___________ pretend you’re petting a dog ___________________________________________________________
___________ pretend you’re turning a doorknob ______________________________________________________
___________ pretend you’re hitting a baseball (or golf ball) ______________________________________________
___________ pretend you’re tying a shoe ____________________________________________________________
___________ pretend you’re using scissors to cut a piece of paper ________________________________________
___________ pretend you’re knocking on the door _____________________________________________________
___________ pretend you’re writing _________________________________________________________________
___________ pretend you are going to make a fire _____________________________________________________
___________ pretend you are going to make coffee ____________________________________________________
___________ pretend you are going to drive a car out of a driveway _______________________________________
Oral Apraxia Comments
___________smile ___________________________________________________________________________
___________open your mouth __________________________________________________________________
___________blow _____________________________________________________________________________
___________whistle ___________________________________________________________________________
1Duffy (1995), Darley, Aronson, and Brown (1975). CD ROM, 1998 by Singular Publishing Group.
ED –4075 / Rev. 07.09 Speech: Sound Production Resource Packet
Department of Education
Checklists for Limb, Oral, & Verbal Apraxia
PAGE 2
___________ puff out your cheeks ___________________________________________________________________
___________ show me your teeth ____________________________________________________________________
___________chatter your teeth as if you are cold ________________________________________________________
___________pucker your lips _______________________________________________________________________
___________bite your lower lip ______________________________________________________________________
___________smack your lips ________________________________________________________________________
___________lick your lips __________________________________________________________________________
___________stick out your tongue ___________________________________________________________________
___________touch your nose with the tip of your tongue __________________________________________________
___________move your tongue in and out _____________________________________________________________
___________wiggle your tongue from side to side ________________________________________________________
___________click your tongue ______________________________________________________________________
___________clear your throat _______________________________________________________________________
___________cough _______________________________________________________________________________
___________alternately pucker and smile ______________________________________________________________
Verbal Apraxia Comments or Transcription
___________love—loving—lovingly __________________________________________________________________
___________jab—jabberjabbering___________________________________________________________________
___________zip—zipper—zippering _________________________________________________________________
___________soft—soften—softening _________________________________________________________________
___________hope—hopeful—hopefully _______________________________________________________________
___________hard—harden—hardening _______________________________________________________________
___________thick—thicken—thickening ______________________________________________________________
___________please—pleasing—pleasingly _____________________________________________________________
___________sit—city—citizen—citizenship ____________________________________________________________
___________cat—catnip—catapult—catastrophe ________________________________________________________
___________strength—strengthen—strengthening _______________________________________________________
___________door—doorknob—doorkeeper—dormitory __________________________________________________
___________tornado ______________________________________________________________________________
___________radiator ______________________________________________________________________________
___________artillery ______________________________________________________________________________
___________linoleum _____________________________________________________________________________
___________inevitable ____________________________________________________________________________
___________delegation ____________________________________________________________________________
___________probability ___________________________________________________________________________
___________cauliflower ___________________________________________________________________________
___________declaration __________________________________________________________________________
___________refrigeration _________________________________________________________________________
___________unequivocally ________________________________________________________________________
___________thermometer _________________________________________________________________________
___________parliamentarian _______________________________________________________________________
ED –4075 / Rev. 07.09 Speech: Sound Production Resource Packet
Department of Education
Page 3
Verbal Apraxia Comments or Transcription
___________catastrophically_______________________________________________________________________
___________disenfranchised ______________________________________________________________________
___________statistical analysis ____________________________________________________________________
___________alternative opinion ____________________________________________________________________
___________regulatory authority ___________________________________________________________________
___________ruthlessly malicious ___________________________________________________________________
___________barometric pressure ___________________________________________________________________
___________indescribably delicious _________________________________________________________________
___________Mississippi River _____________________________________________________________________
___________Tallahassee, Florida __________________________________________________________________
___________Kalamazoo, Michigan _________________________________________________________________
___________Boston, Massachusetts ________________________________________________________________
___________Sacramento, California _________________________________________________________________
___________Madison Square Garden ________________________________________________________________
___________Minneapolis, Minnesota ________________________________________________________________
___________Chattanooga, Tennessee _______________________________________________________________
___________Encyclopedia Britannica ________________________________________________________________
___________Saskatchewan, Saskatoon _______________________________________________________________
___________Philadelphia, Pennsylvania ______________________________________________________________
___________OaklandAlameda Coliseum _____________________________________________________________
___________Vancouver, British Columbia ____________________________________________________________
___________Nuclear Regulatory Commission __________________________________________________________
ED –4075 / Rev. 07.09 Speech: Sound Production Resource Packet
Department of Education
Differential Characteristics of Dysarthria and Apraxia of Speech 1
Page 1 of 2
Dysarthria: Apraxia of Speech:
§ All processes of speech are affected § The speech process for articulation is
(including respiration, phonation, primarily affected. Prosody may also
resonance, articulation and prosody). be abnormal.
§ There is a change in muscle tone § There is a change in motor
secondary to neurologic involvement programming for speech secondary to
that results in difficulty with voluntary neurologic involvement, but muscle
and involuntary motor tasks (such as tone is not affected. Involuntary motor
swallowing, chewing, and licking). tasks typically are not affected.
§ Speech errors result from a § Speech errors result from a disruption
disruption in muscular control of the of the message from the motor cortex
central and/or peripheral nervous to the oral musculature.
system.
§ Errors of speech are inconsistent and
§ Errors of speech are consistent and unpredictable. Islands of clear, well
predictable. There are no islands of articulated speech exist.
clear speech.
§ Articulatory errors are primarily
§ Articulatory errors are primarily substitutions, repetitions, additions,
distortions and omissions. transpositions, prolongations,
omissions, and distortions (which are
least common). Most errors are close
approximations of the targeted
phoneme. Errors are often
perserveratory or anticipatory.
Assessments in SpeechLanguage Pathology CD ROM 1998 by Singular Publishing Group.
1
Durley, Aronson, and Brown (1975), LaPointe and Wentz (1974), Weiss, Gordon, and Lillywhite (1987), and Wertz,
LaPointe, and Rosenbek (1991)
ED –4075 / Rev. 07.09 Speech: Sound Production Resource Packet
Department of Education
Page 2 of 2
Dysarthria: Apraxia of Speech:
§ Consonant productions are § Consonants are more difficult than
consistently imprecise; vowels may vowels; blends are more difficult than
be neutralized. singletons; initial consonants are more
difficult than final consonants; fricatives
and affricates are the most difficult
consonants. Errors increase as the
complexity of the motor pattern
increases.
§ The speech rate is slow and labored: § A prosodic disorder may occur as a
strain, tension, and poor breath result of compensatory behaviors
support may be apparent. (stopping, restarting, and difficulty
initiating phonation and/or correct
articulatory postures).
§ Speech intelligibility is reduced as § Speech intelligibility sometimes
the speaking rate increases. increases as the speaking rate
increases.
§ Increases in word/phrase complexity § Increases in word/phrase complexity
result in poorer articulatory result in poorer articulatory
performance. performance.
ED –4075 / Rev. 07.09 Speech: Sound Production Resource Packet
Department of Education
Identifying Dysarthria 1
Page 1 of 2
Name: _______________________________ Age: __________ Date: ______________
Examiner: ______________________________________________________________
Instructions: Identify the speech characteristics noted during the speech sample.
Flaccid Dysarthria (lower motor neuron involvement)
___________ Hypernasality
___________ Imprecise consonants
___________ Breathiness
___________ Monopitch
___________ Nasal emission
Spastic Dysarthria (upper motor neuron involvement)
___________ Imprecise consonants
___________ Monopitch
___________ Harsh voice quality
___________ Monoloudness
___________ Low pitch
___________ Slow rate
___________ Hypernasality
___________ Strainedstrangled voice quality
___________ Short phrases
Mixed Dysarthria (upper and lower motor neuron involvement)
___________ Imprecise consonants
___________ Hypernasality
___________ Harsh voice quality
__________________
1
From J. C. Rosenbek and L. L. LaPointe, “The Dysarthrias: Diagnosis, Description, and Treatment.” In D. F. Johns (Ed.),
nd
Clinical Management of Neurogenic Communication Disorders (2 ed., p. 100). Boston: Little, Brown and Co.
ED –4075 / Rev. 07.09 Speech: Sound Production Resource Packet
Department of Education
Identifying Dysarthria
Page 2 of 2
___________ Slow rate
___________ Monopitch
___________ Short phrases
___________ Distorted vowels
___________ Low pitch
___________ Monoloudness
___________ Excess and equal stress
___________ Prolonged intervals
Ataxic Dysarthria (cerebellar involvement)
___________ Imprecise consonants
___________ Excess and equal stress
___________ Irregular articulatory breakdowns
___________ Distorted vowels
___________ Harsh voice
___________ Loudness control problems
___________ Variable nasality
Hypokinetic Dysarthria (Parkinsonism)
___________ Monopitch
___________ Reduced stress
___________ Monoloudness
___________ Imprecise consonants
___________ Inappropriate silences
___________ Short rushes of speech
___________ Harsh voice
___________ Breathy voice
Hyperkinetic Dysarthria (Dystonia and Choreathetosis)
___________ Imprecise consonants
___________ Distorted vowels
ED –4075 / Rev. 07.09 Speech: Sound Production Resource Packet
Department of Education
Differentiating the Six Dysarthrias 1
Primary Type Cite of Lesion Possible Causes Speech Characteristics
Flaccid Lower motor neuron Viral infection Hypernasality
Tumor Imprecise consonants
CVA Breathiness
Congenital condition Monopitch
Disease Nasal emissions
Palsies
Trauma
Spastic Upper motor neuron CVA Imprecise Consonants
Tumor Monopitch
Trauma Harsh voice quality
Congenital condition Monoloudness
Low pitch
Slow rate
Hypernasality
Strainedstrangled voice
Short phrases
Mixed Upper and lower motor Amyotrophic lateral Imprecise consonants
(flaccid and spastic) neuron Sclerosis Hypernasality
Trauma Harsh voice quality
CVA Slow rate
Monopitch
Short phrases
Distorted vowels
Low pitch
Monoloudness
Excess and equal stress
Prolonged intervals
Ataxic Cerebellar system CVA Imprecise consonants
Tumor Excess and equal stress
Trauma Irregular articulatory
Congenital condition breakdowns
Infection Distorted vowels
Toxic effects Harsh voice
Loudness/control problems Variable nasality
Hypokinetic Extra pyramidal system Parkinsonism Monopitch
Druginduced Reduced stress
Monoloudness
Imprecise consonants
Inappropriate silences
Short ruses of speech
Harsh voice
Breathy voice
Hyperkinetic Extrapyramidal system Chorea Imprecise consonants
Infection Distorted vowels
Gilles de la Tourette Harsh voice quality
Syndrome Irregular articulatory
Balism breakdowns
Anthetosis Strainedstrangled voice
Infection Monopitch
CVA Monoloudness
Tumor
Dystonia
Druginduced
Dyskinesia
1
Information is based on materials presented in Darley, Aronson, and Brown (1975). This table is from R.T. Wertz,
“Neuropathologies of Speech and Language: An Introduction to Patient Management.” In D.F. Johns (Ed.), Clinical
Management of Neurogenic Communication Disorders (2nd ed., pp. 7677). Boston: Little, Brown and Co.
ED –4075 / Rev. 07.09 Speech: Sound Production Resource Packet
Department of Education
Checklist for the Assessment of Children with Clefts 1
Name: _____________________________ Age: ___________ Date: _________________
Primary care physician: ______________________________________________________
Type of cleft: ______________________________________________________________
Date of surgery: ____________________________________________________________
Other conditions and medical history: ___________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________
Examiner: _________________________________________________________________
OralFacial Examination
Instructions: Administer a standard oralfacial examination. Additionally, make observations about the following
oralfacial features. Check and circle each item noted. Include descriptive comments in the righthand margin
Comments
_____ Type of cleft: lip/palate/lip and palate (describe) ____________________________________
_____ Adequacy of cleft repair: good/fair/poor __________________________________________
_____ Other facial abnormalities: absent/present (describe) _______________________________
_____ Submucosal cleft: absent/present ______________________________________________
_____ Labial pits in lower lip: absent/present __________________________________________
_____ Labiodental fistulas: absent/present ____________________________________________
_____ Alveolar fistulas: absent/present ________________________________________________
_____ Palatal fistulas: absent/present _________________________________________________
_____ Velar fistulas: absent/present __________________________________________________
_____ Perceived length of velum: normal/short/long ______________________________________
_____ Shape of the alveolar ridge: notched/cleft/wide/collapsed ____________________________
Notes from standard oralfacial examination ______________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________________
1
Assessment in SpeechLanguage Pathology. Singular Publishing Group
ED –4075 / Rev. 07.09 Speech: Sound Production Resource Packet
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Checklist for the Assessment of Children with Clefts
(Continuedpg.2)
Assessment of Voice
Instructions: Evaluate the child’s voice, paying particular attention to possible cleftrelated problems. Check
deficits that are present and indicate severity. Record all additional notes in the righthand margin.
1. = mild
2. = moderate
3. = severe
Comments
_____ Pitch variation is reduced. _______________________________________________________
_____ Vocal intensity is reduced. _______________________________________________________
_____ Vocal quality is hoarse/harsh/breathy (circle). ________________________________________
_____ Vocal quality is strangled. ________________________________________________________
_____ Child produces glottal stops in place of plosives and fricatives. ___________________________
_____ Child attempts to mask hypernasality and nasal emission. _______________________________
_____ Child strains voice to achieve adequate pitch change and loudness. _______________________
_____ Child strains voice in attempt to increase speech intelligibility. ____________________________
Assessment of Resonance and Velopharyngeal Integrity
Instructions: Evaluate the child’s voice, listening for the following qualities of resonance. Check each characteristic
the child exhibits and indicate severity. Record all additional notes in the righthand margin.
1 = mild
2 = moderate
3 = severe
Comments
_____ Hypernasality _______________________________________________________________
_____ Nasal emission_______________________________________________________________
_____ Culdesac resonance _________________________________________________________
_____ Hyponasality ________________________________________________________________
ED –4075 / Rev. 07.09 Speech: Sound Production Resource Packet
Department of Education
Checklist for the Assessment of Children with Clefts
(Continuedpg.3)
Instructions: Instruct the child to complete the Modified Tongue Anchor Procedure. Check your observation
below:
_____ Velopharyngeal function is adequate (no nasal omission).
_____ Velopharyngeal function is adequate (nasal emission present).
_____ Further testing using objective instrumentation is necessary.
Instructions: Ask the child to produce the pressure /p/, /b/, /k/, /g/, /t/,/d/, /f/, /v/, /s/, /z/, /ʃ/, /ʒ/,
/ʧ/, /Ɵ/, and / ǒ / (see The Pressure Consonants for suggested stimulus words and phrases), and listen for
hypernasality and nasal emissions. Check the appropriate observations below.
_____ Velopharyngeal function is adequate (no nasal emissions or hypernasality).
_____ Velopharyngeal function is inadequate (nasal emissions or hypernasality present).
_____ Further testing using objective instrumentation is necessary.
_____ Nasal emissions and hypernasality are consistent.
_____ Nasal emissions and hypernasality are inconsistent.
Assessment of Articulation and Phonology
Instructions: Listen to the child’s articulatory accuracy. Pay particular attention to the child’s production of stop
plosives, fricatives, and affricates, which are most likely to be negatively affected by a cleft. Indicate severity and
make additional comments in the righthand margin.
1. = mild
2. = moderate
3. = severe
Comments
_____ Stopplosive errors _________________________________________________________
_____ Fricative errors ____________________________________________________________
_____ Affricate errors ____________________________________________________________
_____ Glide errors _______________________________________________________________
_____ Liquid errors ______________________________________________________________
_____ Nasal errors ______________________________________________________________
_____ Vowel errors ______________________________________________________________
_____ Error patterns are consistent _________________________________________________
_____ Error patterns are inconsistent ________________________________________________
_____ Further assessment is recommended ________________________________________
ED –4075 / Rev. 07.09 Speech: Sound Production Resource Packet
Department of Education
Checklist for the Assessment of Children with Clefts
(Continuedpg.4)
Instructions: Check the following compensatory strategies the child uses during speech production and
indicate severity. Make additional comments in the righthand margin.
_____ Glottal stops ___________________________________________________________
_____ Pharyngeal stops ________________________________________________________
_____ Middorsum palatal stops _________________________________________________
_____ Pharyngeal fricatives _____________________________________________________
_____ Velar fricatives __________________________________________________________
_____ Nasal fricatives _________________________________________________________
_____ Posterior nasal fricatives __________________________________________________
_____ Nasal grimaces _________________________________________________________
Summary
Instructions: Check areas that require further assessment. Make additional comments in the righthand
margin.
Comments
_____ Articulation—Cleftrelated ________________________________________________
_____ Articulation—Noncleftrelated_____________________________________________
_____ Cognition _____________________________________________________________
_____ Hearing _______________________________________________________________
_____ Language ______________________________________________________________
_____ Velopharyngeal integrity __________________________________________________
_____ Voice _________________________________________________________________
ED –4075 / Rev. 07.09 Speech: Sound Production Resource Packet
Department of Education