Children and adolescents with speech sound disorders are more likely to have orofacial dysfunction and malocclusion.

Background: Children with speech sound disorders (SSD) form a heterogeneous group that differs in terms of underlying cause and severity of speech difficulties. Orofacial dysfunction and malocclusions have been reported in children with SSD. However, the association is not fully explored.

Range of motion (ROM) in the lips and jaw during vowels assessed with 3D motion analysis in Swedish children with typical speech development and children with speech sound disorders.

Purpose: The aim was to compare movement patterns of lips and jaw in lateral, vertical and anteroposterior directions during vowel production in children with typical speech development (TSD) and in children with speech sound disorders (SSD) persisting after the age of six.

Methods: A total of 93 children were included, 42 children with TSD (6:0-12:2 years, mean age 8:9 ± 1:5, 19 girls and 23 boys) and 51 children with SSD (6:0-16:7 years, mean age 8:5 ± 3:0, 14 girls and 37 boys). Range of motion (ROM) in lips and jaw in the vowels [a, ʊ, ɪ] produced in a syllable repetition task and median values in resting position were measured with a system for 3D motion analysis.

Orofacial function in children with Speech Sound Disorders persisting after the age of six years.

: The aim was to investigate, describe and analyse speech characteristics, intelligibility, orofacial function and co-existing neurodevelopmental symptoms in children with SSD of unknown origin, persisting after six years of age.: The study included 61 children with SSD (6-17 years) of unknown origin, referred for a speech and oral motor examination. The severity of SSD was estimated using Percentage Consonants Correct (PCC) and Percentage Vowels Correct (PVC) and assessments of resonance based on Swedish Articulation and Nasality Test (SVANTE).