Components of Speech Evaluation

Question 1

Case history

Answer 1

Medical chart, interview with family/patient

Question 2

Speech tasks

Answer 2

Assess error patterns in speech

Asses continuous speech for at least 5 minutes

Oral reading tasks

Question 3

Oral Motor Evaluation

Answer 3

Examination of the oral structures and articulators, and observation of non-speech functions of these structures

Strength, mobility, range of motion, and symmetry of oral structures and their functions

Question 4

Identification of Confirmatory signs

Answer 4

Presence of abnormal muscle tone (flaccid or spastic), to patterns of paresis/paralysis, to the presence of abnormal reflexes or involuntary movements

Question 5

Administration of a formal tests

Answer 5

Apraxia of speech tests -
Apraxia Battery for Adults

Dysarthria tests -
Frenchay Dysarthria Assessment
Dysarthria Examination Battery
Quick Assessment for Dysarthria

Intelligibility tests -
Assessments of Intelligibility in Dysarthric Speakers
Word Intelligibility Test

Question 6

Maximum performance tasks

Answer 6

To test a patient’s maximum limit of ability and to compare the patient’s greatest effort on a task with a known average performance rate of unimpaired individuals

Diadochokinetic rates (DDKs) - 2 types

Alternating motion rates (AMRs)

Simple repetitive motor tasks used to test speed and regulatory

/pΛ/, /tΛ/, and /kΛ/

Question 7

Instrumental Measures

Answer 7

Phonatory measure to assess pitch and loudness of voice, range of pitch and loudness, and regulatory of vocal fold frequency and intensity

Kay Elemtric’s visipitch
Computerized speech lab