Exploring Motor Speech Disorders in Low and Minimally Verbal Autistic Individuals: An Auditory-Perceptual Analysis.

Purpose: Motor deficits are widely documented among autistic individuals, and speech characteristics consistent with a motor speech disorder have been reported in prior literature. We conducted an auditory-perceptual analysis of speech production skills in low and minimally verbal autistic individuals as a step toward clarifying the nature of speech production impairments in this population and the potential link between oromotor functioning and language development.

Method: Fifty-four low or minimally verbal autistic individuals aged 4-18 years were video-recorded performing nonspeech oromotor tasks and producing phonemes, syllables, and words in imitation.

Speech Elicitation Methods for Measuring Articulatory Control.

Purpose: Spatiotemporal index (STI) is a common measure of articulatory variability used to examine speech-motor control. However, the methods used to elicit productions for measuring STI have varied across studies. The aim of this study was to determine whether STI values are affected by changes in elicitation methods.

Update on Identification and Treatment of Infants and Toddlers With Suspected Childhood Apraxia of Speech.

Purpose: The purpose of this tutorial is to (a) provide an updated review of the literature pertaining to proposed early features of childhood apraxia of speech (CAS), (b) discuss the findings of recent treatment studies of infants and toddlers with suspected CAS (sCAS), and (c) present evidence-based strategies and tools that can be used for the identification of and intervention for infants and toddlers with sCAS or at high risk for the disorder.

Method: Since Davis and Velleman's (2000) seminal work on assessment and intervention in infants and toddlers with sCAS, limited research has guided clinicians in the complex task of identifying and treating early speech motor difficulties prior to a definitive diagnosis of CAS. Following the structure of Davis and Velleman, we explore the proposed early characteristics of CAS with reference to contemporary research.

Early diagnostic indicators of childhood apraxia of speech in young children with 7q11.23 duplication syndrome: preliminary findings.

Limited evidence for early indicators of childhood apraxia of speech (CAS) precludes reliable diagnosis before 36 months, although a few prior studies have identified several potential early indicators. We examined these possible early indicators in 10 toddlers aged 14-24 months at risk for CAS due to a genetic condition: 7q11.23 duplication syndrome (Dup7).

Is There an Association Between Oxytocin Levels in Plasma and Pregnant Women's Mental Health?

Mood and anxiety disorders are prevalent in women during peripartum. Purpose of the present article was to study the relationship between oxytocin (OT) plasma levels and affective symptoms in women during the third trimester of pregnancy. Thirty-four pregnant women (13 with an affective disorder, 9 with preeclampsia, and 12 controls) were evaluated through the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS), the State/Trait Anxiety Inventory Form Y (STAI-Y), and the Prenatal Attachment Inventory (PAI).