Development of the Digital Speech Assessment Instrument

Area of Science:

• Speech-Language Pathology
• Linguistics
• Developmental Psychology

Background:

• Accurate assessment of speech production is crucial for diagnosing speech sound disorders (SSDs).
• Existing assessment tools may not adequately address the specific needs of Brazilian Portuguese-speaking populations.
• Digital platforms offer potential for standardized and accessible speech evaluations.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop and validate a Digital Speech Assessment Instrument for Brazilian Portuguese-speaking children and adolescents.
• To evaluate phonological and motor speech skills, including word and pseudoword processing and diadochokinesis.
• To create an online tool for efficient and accurate speech assessment.

Main Methods:

• A seven-step development and validation process was employed.
• The instrument includes tasks for word naming, imitation, repetition, pseudoword imitation, pseudoword repetition, and diadochokinesis.
• Pilot studies were conducted with children and adolescents with typical speech development and SSDs.

Main Results:

• The Digital Speech Assessment Instrument comprises 91 real words, 26 pseudowords, and 6 diadochokinesis stimuli.
• Stimuli include images, audio, and video recordings, with data stored in a virtual database.
• The instrument is designed for individuals aged 2;0 to 17;11 and is administered online.

Conclusions:

• The Digital Speech Assessment Instrument has been successfully developed and validated for Brazilian Portuguese.
• This online tool evaluates various aspects of speech production in children and adolescents.
• The instrument holds potential for timely and accurate diagnosis of speech sound disorders.