Perceptual analysis of speech following traumatic brain injury in childhood.
OBJECTIVE
To investigate perceptually the speech dimensions, oromotor function, and speech intelligibility of a group of individuals with traumatic brain injury (TBI) acquired in childhood.


METHODS
The speech of 24 children with TBI was analysed perceptually and compared with that of a group of non-neurologically impaired children matched for age and sex.


RESULTS
The 16 dysarthric TBI subjects were significantly less intelligible than the control subjects, and demonstrated significant impairment in 12 of the 33 speech dimensions rated. In addition, the eight non-dysarthric TBI subjects were significantly impaired in many areas of oromotor function on the Frenchay Dysarthria Assessment, indicating some degree of pre-clinical speech impairment.


CONCLUSIONS
The results of the perceptual analysis are discussed in terms of the possible underlying pathophysiological bases of the deviant speech features identified, and the need for a comprehensive instrumental assessment, to more accurately determine the level of breakdown in the speech production mechanism in children following TBI.
Cahill
Louise M
LM
Motor Speech Research Unit, Department of Speech Pathology and Audiology, The University of Queensland, Brisbane 4072, Australia. l.cahill@mailbox.uq.edu.au
Murdoch
Bruce E
BE
Theodoros
Deborah G
DG
D000293:Adolescent; D001925:Brain Damage, Chronic / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000523:psychology; D001930:Brain Injuries / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000523:psychology; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D004401:Dysarthria / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000523:psychology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D013062:Speech Articulation Tests; D013065:Speech Intelligibility