Longitudinal Development of Speech Motor Control: Motor and Linguistic Factors

Document Type

Article

Language

eng

Format of Original

16 p.

Publication Date

6-2015

Publisher

Human Kinetics

Source Publication

Journal of Motor Learning and Development

Source ISSN

2325-3193

Original Item ID

doi: 10.1123/jmld.2014-0054

Abstract

Lip shape in adult talkers is primarily driven by vertical opening; however, little is known about how children converge on this highly organized and efficient lip shape pattern. This longitudinal study investigated the development of lip shape control and its relation to speech and vocabulary acquisition in 28 typically developing children between 3 months and 5 years of age. Results suggested that during infancy lip shape was characterized by horizontal spreading of the lips, but that the contribution of vertical opening increased nonmonotonically over time. This change co-occurred with gains in expressive communication. These data suggest that lip shape may represent an important marker of normal oromotor development. Future work is required to determine the functional significance of the observed changes in lip shape control for identifying children at risk for speech and language impairments.

Comments

Journal of Motor Learning and Development, Vol. 3, No. 1 (June 2015): 53-68. DOI.

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