Articulatory and voicing characteristics of adult dysarthric and verbal dyspraxic speakers: an instrumental study

The instrumental techniques of electropalatography and pneumotachography are used to examine details of tongue-palate contacts and VOT characteristics of three adult male subjects: two described as dysarthric and one as dyspraxic. A comparison is made between the subjects, and the results are compared with data from four normal speakers. The information is considered with reference to the neurological bases of these disorders of speech, and the advantages of an instrumental investigation over traditional auditory based assessments are exemplified. Some implications for therapy are also considered.