Catherine Stockwell

• BSc (Hons) Speech and Language Sciences
• Comparing the consistency of speech sounds in children with different types of cerebral palsy

Many children with cerebral palsy have speech impairments and are difficult to understand. I will compare the consistency of speech produced by 24 children who have two different forms of cerebral palsy and who have been recorded for a larger project. I will measure consistency of their speech in repetition of real words and similar, invented words.  Differences in stability of speech production between the two word types will provide valuable clues about how different types of cerebral palsy affect speech production. Results will inform therapy to improve speech and early literacy instruction when children sound out words. 

Funding source: Newcastle University