Effects of integral stimulation therapy on speech - Portland State ...

Prior to the onset <strong>of</strong> <strong>integral</strong> <strong>stimulation</strong> <strong>therapy</strong>, a 100-word language sample
was taken to determine CP’s mean length <strong>of</strong> utterance, phonetic inventory, and overall
speech intelligibility. Pre-treatment data were compared with a second 100-word sample
to determine if improved accuracy <strong>of</strong> target sounds in speech probes were reflected in
CP’s conversational speech. It should be noted that a child’s utterance length can be
influenced by factors such as familiarity with conversational partner, the presence <strong>of</strong> a
parent for support, and comfort levels in a clinical setting. CP’s pre-treatment mean
length <strong>of</strong> utterance (MLU) was 1.3. His MLU near the end <strong>of</strong> his treatment was 4.5,
indicating that his average number <strong>of</strong> words used in an utterance increased by more than
3 words in length over the course <strong>of</strong> treatment. CP’s overall accuracy <strong>of</strong> consonants
increased over the course <strong>of</strong> treatment from 52% correct to 79% correct within the
context <strong>of</strong> the two speech samples. Accuracy <strong>of</strong> target sounds was 60% correct within the
final speech sample (14 correct target sounds out <strong>of</strong> 23 opportunities). It is unclear to
what degree CP’s improved MLU was due to his familiarity with the clinician and his
confidence that his conversational speech would be understood. Despite this uncertainty,
CP was noted by both his parents and teachers as communicating with longer sentences
and more complexity toward the end <strong>of</strong> his treatment phase. His improved speech
accuracy and increased utterance length are most likely a combination <strong>of</strong> many
contributing factors: CP’s family worked daily to supports his speech goals at home,
speech <strong>therapy</strong> included weekly work at the Scottish Rite Speech Clinic and school based
interventions in addition to treatment at Portland State University. Frequent and intense
speech practice is thought to be a critical component <strong>of</strong> effective treatment for CAS. CP’s
progress may have demonstrated this point.
63