Abstract
Background: Visual biofeedback using electropalatography (EPG) has been beneficial in the treatment of some cases of lateral /s/ misarticulation. While EPG intervention is motorically based, studies have not commonly employed a motor learning approach to treatment. Furthermore, treatment success is measured primarily by change to EPG tongue–palate contact patterns and listener ratings conducted by speech–language therapists. Studies have not commonly measured articulatory change without the palate in‐situ using acoustic analysis and non‐professional listeners.
Aims: To determine if an intensive treatment programme including both visual biofeedback (EPG) and traditional articulation techniques within a motor learning paradigm would result in functional improvement to /s/ articulation in an 11‐year‐old girl with persistent lateral misarticulation.
Methods & Procedures: Treatment involved 12 sessions of therapist‐delivered treatment over 4 weeks followed by a 6‐week home programme. Outcomes of the treatment programme were measured primarily using naïve listener ratings and acoustic analysis of /s/ spectra.
Outcomes & Results: Improvements to both the perceptual and spectral characteristics of /s/ articulation occurred following the treatment programme.
Conclusions: The study highlighted the benefit of an intensive approach to intervention incorporating both visual biofeedback and traditional articulation approaches. The inclusion of a 6‐week structured home‐programme was beneficial and resulted in consolidation of treatment gains.