Assessment of children with speech sound disorders in otolaryngology outpatient clinics

Abstract

Objective To analyze the utility of Ankara Articulation Test (AAT) for the diagnosis of Speech Sound Disorders (SSD) in children by an Otolaryngologist independent of Speech-Language Pathologist (SLP). Methods In this prospective single-center study, 83 children comprising 45 boys (54.2%) and 38 girls (45.8%) were enrolled. AAT was applied to the children aged 3-12 years with primary SSD who presented to the otolaryngology outpatient service. Video recording was carried out while testing and the responses to the test were evaluated by another otolaryngologist and SLP. Results A perfectly significant agreement was found between the speech-language pathologist and otolaryngologist's assessments (Cronbach's Alpha > 0.80). Conclusion Otolaryngologists could evaluate SSD with the help of AAT as well as an SLP analysis. Standardized visual tests, such as the AAT, assist the otolaryngologist in the diagnosis of SSD in outpatient clinics.