The Effects of Varying Latencies in the Stimulus-Response Paradigm of Speech Therapy.

Effects of varying latencies upon articulatory productions in the stimulus-response paradigm were studied. Zero latency was compared to latency equal to stimuli and to latency with silent rehearsal of muscular movements. Thirty children with misarticulated /r/ from kindergarten, first, and second grades participated as subjects. Stimulus /ra/ was recorded on tape to provide 30 stimulations per subject. Tape 1 contained stimuli with no latency; tape 2 had stimuli with latency; and tape 3 contained stimuli with latency and conditioning for muscular practice. The first, tenth, twentieth, and thirtieth responses of each subject were judged. Only the responses following zero latency yielded significantly improved responses after 30 stimulus-response trials. It would appear desirable to continue to use the stimulus-response method with latencies adapted to the individual subject. (Author/EE)