The Differential Diagnosis of Dysarthria: A Validity Investigation

Author

Carol Bobnar, Fontbonne College

Year of Award

1981

Degree

Master of Science (MS)

College

College of Education & Allied Health

Department

Communication Disorders and Deaf Education

First Advisor

Robert A. Portnoy

Keywords

speech, acoustic, diagnostic, Acoustic Pattern Index, abnoral, audio, instruction, contextual speech

Abstract

The purpose of this research was to gauge the effectiveness of a combined training method in the differential diagnosis of dysarthria. Specifically, this training procedure combined the 1975, protocol of Darley, Aronson and Brown with Portnoy's research with the Acoustic Pattern Index (1978). Eleven female certified speech pathologists participated in this three hour workshop. Each subject received a pretest which required them to deferentially diagnose twenty dysarthritic speech samples. Each subject then received the training method and was then post tested in diagnosing the same twenty rearranged samples of djrsarthric speech. The results on the post test indicate a 33«204-percent increase in accurate diagnosis following the training procedure. Reasons as to why the scores were found significant are presented as well as a questioning of the prerequisite skills of inter and intra judge -reliability in identifying acoustic abnormalities. Suggestions in the area of listener judgments are presented in order to better assess the true potential of this training method as well as the subjects| potential in diagnosing dysarthria.

Document Type

Restricted Thesis

Recommended Citation

Bobnar, Carol, "The Differential Diagnosis of Dysarthria: A Validity Investigation" (1981). All Theses, Dissertations, and Capstone Projects. 11.
https://griffinshare.fontbonne.edu/all-etds/11