Article

The purpose of this study was to describe the complex array of
functional problems in children diagnosed by their treating speech/language
pathologist with Childhood Apraxia of Speech (CAS), a poorly understood, severe
speech sound disorder. METHOD: We asked parents (n = 201) attending the first
national parent conference on CAS to voluntarily complete a survey, which
evaluated 43 functional domains from the International Classification of
Functioning, Disability, and Health-Children and Youth version (ICF-CY). The
survey also included questions about co-existing medical, developmental, and
mental health conditions and about service utilization. Data were analyzed using
descriptive statistics and exploratory factor analysis. RESULTS: The most
prevalent functional problems in addition to communication were attention
(focus), vestibular function, temperament, fine hand use, maintaining attention,
and learning to write. Four orthogonal factors accounted for 23% of the variance
in functional problems: Cognitive and Learning Problems, Social Communication
Difficulties, Behavioral Dysregulation, and Other Oral Motor Problems. Over half
the sample had health, mental health, and developmental conditions. Almost all of
the children used early intervention and speech/language therapy services.
CONCLUSIONS: The ICF-CY provided a systematic approach for describing and
categorizing functional problems in children with CAS. The identified factors
should guide the multidisciplinary team in conducting comprehensive evaluations,
rehabilitation, and long-term follow-up of children with CAS.

Langue : ANGLAIS