ISCA Archive issp 2024
ISCA Archive issp 2024

Examining Speech Perception of Non-Errored Pronunciations in Children with Speech Sound Disorders

Elaine R. Hitchcock, Laura L. Koenig

Do children with speech-sound disorders (SSDs) also differ in their speech perception? Past results suggest that perceptual difficulties are limited to sounds produced in error. Here, we assessed labeling accuracy and reaction times [RTs] in children with SSD (without voicing errors) and typical- developing [TD] peers. Stimuli were words 'boo, Pooh, doe, toe’ produced by TD 2-year-olds, with VOTs that were "appropriate" (expected for the target) or inappropriate. Listener judgments were considered accurate if they matched the child's target. Results showed high listener accuracy for appropriate VOTs with no group differences. For inappropriate VOTs, children with SSD showed higher accuracy than TD, reaching significance for one comparison. RTs were faster for accurate labeling in both groups and were overall shorter children with SSD than TD peers, suggesting that children with SSD may demonstrate some differences in speech perception behavior, even for sounds not produced in error.