Question
How might auditory discrimination play a role in diagnosing and treating CAS?
Answer
Some of the research literature (e.g., Groenen et al., 1996; Nijland, 2009) has shown that children with apraxia of speech have difficulty correctly perceiving vowel sounds. As these children get older, difficulties with vowel perception may become more evident as children are often able to verbalize their difficulties. As far as diagnosis and treatment is concerned, auditory tasks involving vowel discrimination and identification can be used to determine if the child is having difficulty with speech perception of vowels, and such tasks can also be incorporated into treatment in conjunction with speech production practice. So, there is evidence to support auditory discrimination issues in this population, particularly with vowel sounds, but more research is needed in this area.
Kimberly A. Farinella, Ph.D., CCC-SLP, is an Associate Clinical Professor and Clinic Director at Northern Arizona University, and has a research appointment at the University of Arizona. Her research interests include speech motor control and speech disorders of neurogenic origin.
