Realisation of /s/ and /ʃ/ in Disordered Speech

This study is an exploration of how /s/ and /ʃ/ are realised in dysarthric and dyspraxic speech, and the impact that a predictable realisation may have on speech and language therapy. Acquired dysarthria and dyspraxia of speech are characterised by poor articulatory control (Murdoch, 2014; Robin and Flagmeier, 2014). In those with a dysarthria or dyspraxia of speech, poor articulatory control may result in /s/ rather than the target /ʃ/, and vice versa.Data was collected from a small sample with an acquired dysarthria or dyspraxia of speech. /s/ and /ʃ/ were observed in Word List Style, Reading Passage Style, and in a sociolinguistic interview (Milroy and Gordon, 2003). Narrowly transcribed data is supported by acoustic analysis using Praat (Boersma and Weenink, 2018) and quantative representation of realisation of /s/ and /ʃ/ in comparison to their target. Analysis considered the influence of environment on the realisation of /s/ and /ʃ/ in dysarthric and dyspraxic speech. In addition, the extent to which this realisation can be predicted is considered in relation to the planning of speech and language therapy.