Diagnostic accuracy of three speech productions tasks of childhood apraxia of speech in Cantonese-speaking preschool children

Abstract

<p><strong>Background: </strong>Maximum performance tasks (MPT) and the syllable repetition task (SRT) are valid for identifying childhood apraxia of speech (CAS) in Dutch- and English-speaking children. Due to linguistic differences, it is unknown if they are valid in languages with lexical tones, such as Cantonese. Cantonese speakers with CAS make tone errors. The tone sequencing task (TST) has been proposed for differential diagnosis.</p><p><strong>Aim:</strong> We examine the validity and diagnostic accuracy of linguistically modified MPT and SRT, and of the TST in identifying CAS in Cantonese-speaking children.</p><p><strong>Method:</strong> The PolyU Institutional Review Board approved this study. A total of 90 Cantonese-speaking preschool children, aged 3-5 years, participated in three groups: typical speech-language development (TD) (n = 61), speech sound disorder only (SSD) (n =22), and childhood apraxia of speech (CAS) (n = 7).</p><p><strong>Results:</strong> The MPT maximum phonation duration and maximum repetition rate of monosyllables, the SRT competency and memory scores, and the TST tone accuracy and consistency measures differentiated the CAS group from the others. The MPT dyspraxia score had 100% and 37.3% sensitivitiy and specificity, respectively. The SRT competency score had 85.7% and 97.6% sensitivity and specificity, respectively. All 10 TST measures had >80% sensitivity and specificity.</p><p><strong>Conclusions:</strong> The linguistically modified MPT and SRT may not effectively identify CAS in Cantonese speakers. The TST may contribute significantly to a language-specific diagnosis.</p>