Perceptual Analysis of Consonant Production in Multisyllabic Words in Apraxia of Speech: A Comparison Across Repeated Sampling Times‪.‬

This investigation was designed to examine the number of errors and types of errors by syllable position in productions of three-syllable words produced by a speaker with acquired apraxia of speech and aphasia. Consonant productions were examined via perceptual analysis of speech samples elicited on three occasions. Results revealed a greater number of errors in the syllable final position followed by syllable initial and medial positions, respectively. The number of errors in the syllable final position was similar across sampling times. However, errors in the syllable initial and medial positions declined over subsequent sampling times. Omission and distortion errors occurred in the syllable initial position. In syllable medial and final positions, omission, distortion and addition errors were found. However, in the syllable final position substitution errors also occurred. Findings suggest that exposure and possibly repeated practice influenced the results, particularly syllable initial and medial positions. The similar number of errors for the final syllable position across sampling times suggests these syllables were more complex and were more resistant to possible practice effects. Findings also indicate that improvements after reassessment may be due to repeated sampling, and pre- and post-treatment measures may be inadequate in evaluating treatment effects. **********