Speech Therapy for Speech Sound Disorder
What You Need to Know Before You Apply
What is the purpose of this trial?
This trial explores better ways to help children with speech sound disorders (SSD), a condition where kids struggle to say sounds correctly. Researchers aim to determine if adding training to help kids hear and recognize sound differences can enhance traditional speech therapy. The study involves two groups: one will receive only traditional speech therapy (Speech Production Treatment), while the other will receive both traditional therapy and sound perception training (Speech Production + Speech Perception Treatment). Ideal candidates are children aged 4 to 6 who speak only English, have been diagnosed with SSD, and have not received prior speech therapy. The goal is to improve understanding of SSD and identify the best treatment approach. As an unphased trial, this study offers children a unique opportunity to potentially benefit from innovative therapy methods while contributing to valuable research.
Will I have to stop taking my current medications?
The trial information does not specify whether participants need to stop taking their current medications.
Is there any evidence suggesting that this trial's treatments are likely to be safe?
Research has shown that speech therapy, which aids in both producing and understanding sounds, is often used for children with speech sound disorders (SSD). These treatments aim to improve how children speak and perceive different sounds. However, specific safety information for these therapies is not detailed in the available research.
Despite this, speech-language pathologists in schools widely use speech therapy, with nearly 90% working with students who have SSD. This widespread use suggests that these treatments are generally well-accepted and commonly used with children.
While detailed safety data is limited, the extensive use in schools provides some reassurance about the treatment's safety and how well children handle it. Prospective trial participants should discuss any concerns with their healthcare provider.12345Why are researchers excited about this trial?
Researchers are excited about these treatments for Speech Sound Disorder because they explore new dimensions of speech therapy. Unlike traditional approaches that focus solely on teaching children how to produce speech sounds, one treatment arm combines this with speech perception training. This dual approach helps children not only produce sounds correctly but also improve their ability to identify correct and incorrect sounds in words. This could lead to more comprehensive improvements in speech skills by addressing both production and perception, potentially offering a more robust solution than current standard treatments.
What evidence suggests that this trial's treatments could be effective for speech sound disorder?
Research has shown that traditional speech therapy effectively aids children with speech sound disorders (SSD). Studies have found that it enhances their ability to produce speech sounds, a common challenge for those with SSD. This therapy emphasizes using sounds in school-related words, thereby improving communication skills. In this trial, some participants will receive this traditional speech treatment.
Other participants will receive a combination of traditional speech therapy and training that helps children hear and recognize sounds, potentially offering additional benefits. This combination aids not only in sound production but also in identifying correct and incorrect sounds. Early research suggests that this two-part approach could lead to better outcomes in learning speech sounds by addressing both production and auditory recognition.46789Who Is on the Research Team?
Alycia E Cummings, Ph.D.
Principal Investigator
Idaho State University - Meridian
Are You a Good Fit for This Trial?
This trial is for English-speaking children aged between 4 and 6 years with speech sound disorders (SSD), who have not received prior speech therapy, show typical development in other areas, and have normal hearing. They must be struggling with producing at least four English consonants correctly.Inclusion Criteria
Exclusion Criteria
Timeline for a Trial Participant
Screening
Participants are screened for eligibility to participate in the trial
Treatment
Children receive either traditional speech treatment alone or in conjunction with speech perceptual training
Follow-up
Participants are monitored for changes in phonological representations and auditory neural responses
What Are the Treatments Tested in This Trial?
Interventions
- Speech Production + Speech Perception Treatment
- Speech Production Treatment
Find a Clinic Near You
Who Is Running the Clinical Trial?
Idaho State University
Lead Sponsor
National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders (NIDCD)
Collaborator