There is currently little research available about efficacious treatment and intervention methods available for children with dysarthria. However, there is a board base of information available for the treatment of adults with dysarthria, including the Lee Silverman Voice Treatment (LSVT Loud) and “Traditional” treatment, which refers to treatment targeting the various subsystems of speech (respiratory, resonatory, phonatory, articulation,…). These treatment approaches have demonstrated significant improvement on speech function and intelligibility in adults with dysarthria. Because of this, Levy, Raming and Camarata (2013) set out to determine whether these approaches would have the same positive effects on children with dysarthria, specifically those with cerebral palsy (CP).
Three female children with spastic CP were recruited…show more content… The first participant (P1) was eight years old with a diagnosis of mild dysarthria and an expressive language delay. The second participant (P2) was three years old with a diagnosis of moderate dysarthria and delayed phonological acquisition. The last participant (P3) was nine years old and had a diagnosis of moderate dysarthria, apraxia and delays in cognitive, expressive and receptive language abilities. P1 and P2 participated in the LSVT Loud program four days a week for 50- to 60-minute individual sessions. This treatment was provided by Levy, a certified speech-language pathologist (SLP) trained in the program. Levy adapted the LSVT Loud program protocol to include more game-like activities to increase the children’s motivation to participate. P3 participated in “Traditional” treatment twice a week for 50-minute sessions. This treatment was provided by two SLP master students,
