Influence of Sensory Cues on the Stimulability for Liquid Sounds in Brazilian Portuguese-Speaking Children

Abstract

Objective: Stimulability is the ability to produce an adequate sound under specific conditions. This study aimed to describe the stimulability of Brazilian Portuguese-speaking children with and without phonological disorders for the production of liquid sounds with the aid of visual and tactile cues. Patients and Methods: The study sample included 36 children between 5;0 and 11;6 years of age, 18 with phonological disorder and 18 without any speech-language disorders. Stimulability was measured for syllable imitation. The stimulability test employed includes 63 syllables with the sounds [}], [y], and [2], as well as seven oral vowels. If the subject was unable to imitate a sound, a visual cue was given. When necessary, a tactile cue was also given. Results: The sound [y] required greater use of sensory cues. Children with phonological disorder needed a greater number of cues. Conclusion: The use of sensory cues seemed to facilitate sound stimulability, making it possible for the children with phonological disorder to accurately produce the sounds modeled.