Preliminary analysis of language and speech features in children with cerebral palsy / 中华物理医学与康复杂志

ABSTRACT

Objective To characterize the language development and articulation in children with different types of cerebral palsy. Methods The data from 76 children with cerebral palsy who underwent standardized tests of speech and language were analyzed. The incidence and abnormal pattern were compared between groups. ResultsLanguage delay and/or dysarthria were noted in 73.1% of these subjects. Children with diplegia developed similar levels both in comprehension and verbal expression, whereas those with tetraplegia and athetoid developed poorer verbal expression. The incidence of language delay in children with diplegia, tetraplegia and athetoid were 45.95%, 90% and 64.7%, respectively. Dysarthria was found in all the children with tetraplegia, athetoid and ataxia, but only 48.65% of those with diplegia. Conclusion Language disorders were common in children with cerebral palsy, especially those with athetoid and tetraplegia.