Exploring the Connection Between Orofacial Myofunctional Disorder, Speech Errors of /s/
and /z/, and Auditory Perception Skills
Description
Orofacial Myofunctional Disorder (OMD) is defined as “abnormal movement patterns of
the face and mouth” by ASHA (2023). OMD leads to anterior carriage of the tongue, open mouth
posture, mouth breathing, and tongue thrust swallow. Dentalization speech errors of /s/ and /z/
are also known to be caused by low and forward position of the tongue (Wadsworth, Maui, &
Stevens, 1998). This study used the OMES-E protocol to identify 10 out of 40 participants with
OMD. A cut-off below 80% accuracy for the production of /s/ and /z/ sounds classified 6 out of
40 participants with speech errors. Then, a correlation was run between speech score and OMD
classification; it was not significant. This raises the question, why do some people with OMD
have moderate to severe speech errors of /s/ and /z/, and some who have OMD do not? This
study aims to explore this question beyond the motor modality. Using an auditory perception
paradigm, the first and second formants of the vowel /ɛ/ were shifted to approximate /æ/. The
participant’s responses and compensations to these shifts were recorded in real time. Results of
this perceptual test could suggest that perceptual/compensatory differences may explain why
some people in the OMD population have speech errors and some do not.
Date Created
The date the item was original created (prior to any relationship with the ASU Digital Repositories.)
2023-12
Agent
- Author (aut): DeOrio, Sophia
- Thesis director: Weinhold, Juliet
- Committee member: Bruce, Laurel
- Contributor (ctb): Barrett, The Honors College
- Contributor (ctb): School of Public Affairs
- Contributor (ctb): College of Health Solutions
- Contributor (ctb): Sanford School of Social and Family Dynamics