Influence of sensory cues on the stimulability for liquid sounds in Brazilian Portuguese-speaking children.

OBJECTIVE

Stimulability is the ability to produce an adequate sound under specific conditions. This study aimed to describe the stimulability of Brazilian Portuguese-speaking children with and without phonological disorders for the production of liquid sounds with the aid of visual and tactile cues.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

The study sample included 36 children between 5;0 and 11;6 years of age, 18 with phonological disorder and 18 without any speech-language disorders. Stimulability was measured for syllable imitation. The stimulability test employed includes 63 syllables with the sounds [i], [lh], and [r], as well as seven oral vowels. If the subject was unable to imitate a sound, a visual cue was given. When necessary, a tactile cue was also given.

RESULTS

The sound [lh] required greater use of sensory cues. Children with phonological disorder needed a greater number of cues.

CONCLUSION

The use of sensory cues seemed to facilitate sound stimulability, making it possible for the children with phonological disorder to accurately produce the sounds modeled.