Department of Special Education and Communication Disorders
ORCID IDs
Kevin Pitt https://orcid.org/0000-0003-3165-4093
Document Type
Article
Date of this Version
2014
Citation
Published in American Journal of Speech-Language Pathology 23 (2014), pp 520–529.
doi 10.1044/2014_AJSLP-14-0001
Abstract
Purpose: This study assessed the benefit of using electropalatography (EPG) in treatment aimed at habilitating individuals with nonspeech orofacial myofunctional disorders (NSOMD).
Method: The study used a multiple-baseline design across 3 female participants who were referred for an evaluation and possible treatment of their NSOMD. Treatment sessions were 30 min and provided twice weekly. Participant 1 received 8 treatments, Participant 2 received 6 treatments, and Participant 3 received 4 treatments. The patterns of sensor activation produced when participants’ tongues made contact with the electropalate during saliva swallows were compared with the patterns of age-matched peers. Individualized goals were developed on the basis of these comparisons.
Results: Treatment was generally effective for the established goals. Of the 3 participants, 2 met all their goals, and the 3rd participant made gains across 1 of 2 goals. Participants continued to perform above baseline levels for most targeted goals during testing 5–8 weeks posttreatment.
Conclusion: When used in skilled treatment, EPG has potential as a means of habilitating NSOMD. It may serve as a valuable tool, providing the clinician and client with information that allows for individualized treatment planning.
Included in
Special Education and Teaching Commons, Speech and Hearing Science Commons, Speech Pathology and Audiology Commons
Comments
Copyright © 2014 American Speech-Language-Hearing Association. Used by permission.