12 Nov Dynamic Temporal and Tactile Cueing: Quantifying Speech Motor Changes and Individual Factors that Contribute to Treatment Gains in Childhood Apraxia of Speech
Summary by Maria Grigos, PhD
This study explored the speech skills of young children with childhood apraxia of speech (CAS) before and after receiving Dynamic Temporal and Tactile Cueing (DTTC), a motor-based intervention for children with CAS. The focus of this study was to measure changes in speech accuracy, word duration, and jaw movement patterns following DTTC treatment. The investigation also examined whether children’s initial speech performance, receptive language, and cognitive abilities predicted their response to the therapy. Seven children between the ages of two and five years received DTTC for six weeks, three times a week. The research team assessed the accuracy and duration of words produced by the children before and after treatment. They also measured the consistency of jaw movements using optical facial tracking technology.
The results indicated a relationship between word accuracy and jaw movement variability only following the intervention period. As speech movements became less variable, children were simultaneously demonstrating gains in speech accuracy. With respect to timing, higher word accuracy was linked to shorter word duration both before and after treatment. This relationship was strongest before treatment, where lower accuracy came with more varied word durations. As accuracy improved post-treatment, word durations became shorter. The timing adjustments in DTTC, which involve practicing at slower and regular speech rates, likely helped improve both accuracy and control. Additionally, the study found that children’s speech accuracy before starting therapy was a strong predictor of their overall progress. Participants who began with lower accuracy showed the greatest gains, highlighting the potential of DTTC to address severe speech impairments. Interestingly, the study also revealed that factors such as receptive language skills and cognitive abilities did not significantly impact the children’s response to treatment.
Overall, these findings support the use of DTTC as a targeted intervention for CAS to improve both the precision of speech and the underlying motor movements. The therapy appears to be especially beneficial for those with the most severe impairments, providing hope for effective treatment even in the most challenging cases. The study adds to the growing body of evidence that motor-based approaches like DTTC can play a crucial role in the treatment of CAS.
This research was supported by the National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders Grant R01DC018581 awarded to Dr. Maria I. Grigos. For access to this paper, please email Maria Grigos at maria.grigos@nyu.edu.
Grigos, M. I., Case, J., Lu, Y., & Lyu, Z. (2024). Dynamic temporal and tactile cueing: Quantifying speech motor changes and individual factors that contribute to treatment gains in childhood apraxia of speech. Journal of Speech, Language, and Hearing Research, (67 (9S). 3359-3376. https://doi.org/10.1044/2023_JSLHR-22-00658
Summary by Maria Grigos, PhD
This study explored the speech skills of young children with childhood apraxia of speech (CAS) before and after receiving Dynamic Temporal and Tactile Cueing (DTTC), a motor-based intervention for children with CAS. The focus of this study was to measure changes in speech accuracy, word duration, and jaw movement patterns following DTTC treatment. The investigation also examined whether children’s initial speech performance, receptive language, and cognitive abilities predicted their response to the therapy. Seven children between the ages of two and five years received DTTC for six weeks, three times a week. The research team assessed the accuracy and duration of words produced by the children before and after treatment. They also measured the consistency of jaw movements using optical facial tracking technology.
The results indicated a relationship between word accuracy and jaw movement variability only following the intervention period. As speech movements became less variable, children were simultaneously demonstrating gains in speech accuracy. With respect to timing, higher word accuracy was linked to shorter word duration both before and after treatment. This relationship was strongest before treatment, where lower accuracy came with more varied word durations. As accuracy improved post-treatment, word durations became shorter. The timing adjustments in DTTC, which involve practicing at slower and regular speech rates, likely helped improve both accuracy and control. Additionally, the study found that children’s speech accuracy before starting therapy was a strong predictor of their overall progress. Participants who began with lower accuracy showed the greatest gains, highlighting the potential of DTTC to address severe speech impairments. Interestingly, the study also revealed that factors such as receptive language skills and cognitive abilities did not significantly impact the children’s response to treatment.
Overall, these findings support the use of DTTC as a targeted intervention for CAS to improve both the precision of speech and the underlying motor movements. The therapy appears to be especially beneficial for those with the most severe impairments, providing hope for effective treatment even in the most challenging cases. The study adds to the growing body of evidence that motor-based approaches like DTTC can play a crucial role in the treatment of CAS.
This research was supported by the National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders Grant R01DC018581 awarded to Dr. Maria I. Grigos. For access to this paper, please email Maria Grigos at maria.grigos@nyu.edu.
Grigos, M. I., Case, J., Lu, Y., & Lyu, Z. (2024). Dynamic temporal and tactile cueing: Quantifying speech motor changes and individual factors that contribute to treatment gains in childhood apraxia of speech. Journal of Speech, Language, and Hearing Research, (67 (9S). 3359-3376. https://doi.org/10.1044/2023_JSLHR-22-00658
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