Theme 1 Project 21
| Project
title |
Assessment and treatment of impaired speech motor control in children
with Down's syndrome |
|
Researchers |
Professor
W. Hardcastle (Speech & Language Sciences) Queen Margaret University,
Edinburgh, Professor
Jennifer Wishart (Educational
Studies,
School of Education) University of Edinburgh, and Dr S Wood (Speech & Language
Sciences) Queen Margaret University, Edinburgh
For other related projects, see Professor Wishart's website at www.education.ed.ac.uk/es/jw |
|
Keywords |
Speech
and language development, electropalatography, Down's syndrome |
|
Abstract |
Many
people with Down's syndrome experience difficulties with speech and
language which impair their ability to communicate; speech can be
difficult to understand or there may be difficulty producing certain
sounds. Poor intelligibility can make communicating successfully
with others problematic, limiting ability to make friends and impeding
access to education and employment opportunities. This longitudinal
project is using a technique called electropalatography (EPG) to
assess and treat speech disorders in children and young people with
Down's syndrome. It aims i) to identify in detail the type of speech
patterns produced by children with Down's syndrome, comparing these
to those seen in typically-development, ii) to evaluate the role
of EPG therapy in improving speech production and increasing intelligibility,
iii) to explore the relationship between speech intelligibility and
cognitive level, speech perception skills, age and general motor
development to determine if any of these variables are good predictors
of success in EPG therapy.
See: www.qmuc.ac.uk/ssrc/DownSyndrome/home.htm |
|
Publications |
Please
see Professor
Wishart's website for recent/current publications: www.education.ed.ac.uk/es/jw
|
|
Start
/end date |
2005
- 2008 |
|
Funder
/amount |
Medical
Research Council / £348,000
|
|
|
