Comparison of velopharyngeal closure timing among suspected childhood apraxia of speech and typically developing children

This study compares velopharyngeal closure timing among suspected CAS and typically developing (TD) children. The study group consists of 3 suspected CAS and 6 TD (totally 9) children, ranging in age from 6;3 to 8;11. Personal and Health Information Form, Teacher's Opinion Form, Oral-Peripheral Examination, Articulation Test, Word and Sentences Repetition Test, NRT and Language Development Test were used as data collection tools to identify participants. In order to evaluate velopharyngeal closure timing, Nasometer II, 6450 was used as data collection tool. The data obtained from Nasometer II, were analyzed using linear mixed effects models in R and Man Whithey-U test in SPSS 21. The results showed that, there is a significant difference among CAS and TD groups in terms of nasalisation. But these results can be questionable clinically. There is a significant difference in total duration of the production of the same syllable structure, among groups.