Relation of speech sound discrimination and selected language skills

Abstract

This investigation involves speech sound discrimination and its relation to auditory-vocal subtests of the Illinois Test of Psycholinguistic Abilities (ITPA). First-grade subjects aged six years, six months to seven years, six months exhibited various combinations of adequate and deviant speech sound discrimination and articulation. The Templin Speech Sound Discrimination Test was administered on a group basis. Subjects obtained scores in the top or bottom 20% of the scores achieved by the group tested. Articulation was evaluated using the Templin-Darley screening test. Subjects demonstrated an IQ of 90 or above, normal hearing, and no record of an organic problem. Results of the three factor analysis of covariance indicated discrimination scores had a significant effect on ITPA subtest scores; however, the effects of articulation and interaction of discrimination and articulation on ITPA subtest scores were not significant. Significant differences were found between the subtest examining auditory memory span and the subtest examining tenses and plurals. All other interactions were not significant.