Retrospective Case–Control Study of Communication and Motor Abilities in 143 Children With Suspected Childhood Apraxia of Speech: Effect of Concomitant Diagnosis
Document Type
Article
Publication Date
2-11-2022
Publisher
American Speech-Language-Hearing Association
Source Publication
Perspectives on Language Learning and Education
Source ISSN
1940-7750
Original Item ID
DOI: 10.1044/2021_PERSP-20-00283
Abstract
Purpose:
This study sought to determine if children with childhood apraxia of speech (CAS) plus another major diagnosis (CAS+) are equivalent in communication and motor profiles to those with a primary diagnosis of CAS and no indication or report of any other diagnosis (CAS-Primary).
Method:
This retrospective case–control study included a chart review of 143 children who were suspected of having CAS at Children's Hospital-Wisconsin between 1998 and 2004. Participants were between 30 and 127 months old and included 107 males. Participants were assigned to the suspected CAS-Primary group (n = 114) if they had characteristics of CAS but no other major diagnosis (e.g., galactosemia) and to the CAS+ group (n = 29) if a comorbid diagnosis was present. Groups were compared across demographic, communication, and motor characteristics.
Results:
Children with CAS+ evidenced more severe motor profiles than those with CAS-Primary, χ2 = (1, n = 122) = 4.952, p = .026, and a small-to-medium effect size (Ф = .201). On average, communication profiles also tended to be more severe among those with CAS+ wherein receptive language was poorer and phonemic inventories were smaller than those with CAS-Primary.
Conclusions:
These retrospective data suggest that comorbid diagnosis may play an important role in communication and motor development in children with suspected CAS. These exploratory findings should motivate future prospective studies that consider the role of concomitant diagnoses in symptom profile and response to treatment in children with CAS.
Recommended Citation
Iuzzini-Seigel, Jenya; Delaney, Amy; and Kent, Ray D., "Retrospective Case–Control Study of Communication and Motor Abilities in 143 Children With Suspected Childhood Apraxia of Speech: Effect of Concomitant Diagnosis" (2022). Speech Pathology and Audiology Faculty Research and Publications. 63.
https://epublications.marquette.edu/spaud_fac/63
Comments
Perspectives on Language Learning and Education, Vol. 7, No. 1 (February 11, 2022): 45-55. DOI.