Keywords

Apraxia of speech, apraxic speakers, acoustic and kinematic analyses

Abstract

Since being recognized as a clinical entity, the defining characteristics of apraxia of speech (AOS) have continued to evolve (McNeil, Robin, & Schmidt, 1997). Early research examining speech production with AOS speakers revealed inconsistency in articulatory performance with unpredictable errors (Johns & Darley, 1970; LaPointe & Johns, 1975). More recent research with “pure” apraxic speakers and AOS speakers with accompanying aphasia has revealed consistency in the location and types of errors in repeated productions (McNeil, Odell, Miller & Hunter, 1995; Shuster & Wambaugh, 2003; Wambaugh, Nessler, Bennett & Mauszycki, 2004). The issue of variability in AOS remains unresolved (Croot, 2002). In particular, there are limited data regarding variability in performance over time (i.e., beyond a single testing session). Additionally, most information concerning variability in AOS has been derived from perceptual data. The purpose of this investigation was to examine articulatory variability in an individual with AOS and aphasia. Of particular interest was the consistency of stop consonant productions over repeated sampling examined via perceptual, acoustic, and kinematic analyses.

Original Publication Citation

Mauszycki, S.C., Dromey, C. & Wambaugh, J.L. (2007). Variability in apraxia of speech: A perceptual, acoustic, and kinematic analysis of stop consonants. Journal of Medical Speech-Language Pathology, 15, 223-242