Perceptual assessment of speech material in individuals with repaired cleft palate

Abstract

Introduction: The perceptual speech assessment is considered the gold standard in the diagnosis of VPD individuals with cleft lip and palate; therefore, the establishment of the reliability of this method is fundamental. Objective: To define, based on international parameters, the criteria to be used in the perceptual speech assessment in individuals with cleft palate, in order to increase the reproducibility and reliability of perceptual assessment among different examiners. Methods: Observation and training of perceptual speech assessment in the clinical practice at the Karolinska Institute (Sweden); training of strategies used at this Institute for analysis of speech samples concerning to the rate of speech symptoms; discussions with the group of speech pathologists to establish the type of sample to be used in the research related to this project in Brazil, as well as the analysis for rating the speech symptoms, such as hypernasality, nasal air emission, nasal rustle, weak consonant pressure, facial grimace, compensatory articulations and nasal air escape in individuals with cleft palate. Data obtained in this study will be analyzed descriptively. (AU)