[Relationship between speech, tonus and non-verbal praxis of the stomatognathic system in preschoolers].
BACKGROUND
relationship between speech, tonus and non-verbal praxis.


OBJECTIVE
to verify the relationship between speech, tonus and non-verbal praxis of the stomatognathic system in preschoolers.


METHODS
120 children, with ages between 4:0 and 5:11 years, were assessed. This assessment consisted of an anamnesis and a speech-language evaluation. The anamnesis was carried out with each child and was completed with information obtained through a questionnaire filled out by parents or guardians. The speech-language assessment involved: assessment of tonus (resistance), of mobility (execution of isolated movements), praxis of lips and tongue (repetition of sequential movements) and of speech (picture naming).


RESULTS
statistically significant findings were: normal tongue tonus in the group of children with normal praxis (p = 0.003); tongue with altered tonus in the group of children with altered praxis (p = 0.003) and normal speech in the group of children with normal praxis (p < 0.001). Other observations were: normal lip tonus in the group of children with normal praxis (p = 0.058); altered speech (omission, substitution and distortion) in the group of children with altered lip tonus (p = 0.149), normal speech in the group of children with normal tongue tonus (p = 0.332): altered speech (omission, substitution and distortion) in the group of children with altered lip praxis (p = 0.241). Differences in speech related to gender or age were not observed in the present study. However, children with ages between 4:0 and 4:11 years presented speech alterations in a higher proportion when compared to children with ages between 5:0 and 5:11 years.


CONCLUSIONS
it was not possible to prove the existence of a relationship between tonus and lip praxis, and between lip praxis and speech. A relationship exists between tonus and non-verbal tongue praxis and also between non-verbal tongue praxis and speech.
de Farias
Samira Raquel
SR
Departamiento de Fonoaudiologia da Universidade Federal de São Paulo. samirafarias@terra.com.br
de Avila
Clara Regina Brandão
CR
Vieira
Marilena Manno
MM
D000367:Age Factors; D001072:Apraxias / Q000503:physiopathology* / Q000523:psychology; D016009:Chi-Square Distribution; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008046:Lip / Q000502:physiology; D008297:Male; D009129:Muscle Tonus / Q000502:physiology*; D012737:Sex Factors; D013060:Speech / Q000502:physiology; D013064:Speech Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000503:physiopathology; D013284:Stomatognathic System / Q000503:physiopathology*; D014059:Tongue / Q000502:physiology; D014705:Verbal Behavior / Q000502:physiology*