Development of a voice-based rhythm game for training speech motor skills of children with speech disorders

In this project, we deal with the development and evaluation of a new tool for conducting speech rhythm exercises. A training methodology is proposed, based on a schedule of exercises, each presenting a sequence of syllables arranged in a specific rhythmic pattern. In order to assist the therapists with conducting speech rhythm exercises with children, we have developed a computer game prototype which implements the training, by providing the exercises, visual feedback and evaluation of performance. The game prototype was further evaluated in a usability study involving children with various speech disorders. We discuss the limitations of the current system and propose improvements for further development. 1. PRINCIPLES OF SPEECH MOTOR PRACTICE 1.1 Speech rhythm skills Recent studies have argued for the presence of a central timing deficit in children with speech disorders, expressed across modalities and across types of timing measures (Peter and Stoel-Gammon, 2008). Particularly, a problem with timing accuracy in speech is thought to be implicated in childhood apraxia of speech (CAS), and in dysarthria (Liss et al, 2009), conditions jointly known as speech motor disorders (Duffy, 2005). Fluency disorders have also been extensively studied from the speech motor skill perspective (Van Lieshout, 2001). Since speech motor skills involve an intricate timing and coordination of motor events, we can describe speech rhythm skill as one of the elements comprising it. Concretely, speech rhythm skill can be defined as the ability to reproduce consecutive speech segments with a precise onset and offset timing of each segment.