Phonological changes obtained in the treatment of subjects comparing different therapy models.

Abstract

Background: There are many options of phonological disorder treatments that aim at improving children's communication.

Aim: To analyze the Percentage of Consonants Correct-Revised, the number of acquired phonemes in the phonological system and the types of generalizations obtained in treatment, comparing different therapy models in subjects with different severity levels of phonological disorder.

Method: Participants were 21 children, mean age 5:7 years. All subjects underwent speech, language and hearing evaluations and additional exams. Children were then divided into groups according to therapy model and severity level of phonological disorder. The Percentage of Consonants Correct-Revised, the number of acquired phonemes and the types of generalizations were analyzed and compared within and between each therapeutic model, considering pre and post therapy evaluations.

Results: It was possible to observe improvement in the three analyzed therapy models. When comparing the therapy models, the greater improvement in percentage terms was observed for the ABAB-Withdrawal and Multiple Probes Model and the Maximal Oppositions Model, even though the statistical analysis indicated no significant difference.

Conclusion: The three therapy models were effective for the treatment of children with phonological disorder because they all of them provided an increase in the Percentage of Consonants Correct-Revised, in the number of acquired phonemes and in the types of analyzed generalizations.