Oral motor performance in children with suspected speech sound disorders: A comparison with children with typically developing speech

Abstract

AimsOral motor training has been widely accepted as a component of treatment for children with speech sound disorders (SSDs). However, the relationship between speech sound accuracy and oral motor performance is not well established. The objective of this study was twofold: (1) to explore the oral motor performance in children with suspected SSDs and children with typically developing speech; and (2) to examine the sound errors and performance in specific non-speech tasks in these two groups.MethodsWe compared the oral motor performance in Cantonese-speaking children with suspected speech disorders (n = 75) and that in those with typically developing speech (n = 59). The results were analyzed by using Chi-square tests.ResultsChi-square tests revealed no significant differences in oral motor performance between the two groups of children. The results suggest that there is no direct relationship between oral motor performance and speech sound production.ConclusionsAlthough the same anatomical structures are involved in speech sound production and oral motor performance, the two do not seem to share the same coordinative motor control strategies. Non-speech oral motor exercises (NS-OMEs) should be used with caution in the management of children with speech sound disorders.