A new species of the sharpshooter genus Balacha from an alpine field in southeastern Brazil (Insecta: Hemiptera: Cicadellidae: Cicadellini)

ABSTRACT The sharpshooter genus Balacha Melichar, 1926 includes nine species and is distributed in southeastern and southern Brazil, Uruguay, Paraguay, and Argentina. All species of Balacha use only members of the genus Eryngium (Apiaceae) as host plants, except for a recently described species that is associated with Actinocephalus polyanthus (Eriocaulaceae). Here we describe and illustrate an additional species, B. caledonia sp. nov., from an alpine field in Nova Friburgo, state of Rio de Janeiro, southeastern Brazil, which is also associated with Eryngium. Among the known species of the genus, the new taxon is morphologically most similar to B. caparao Takiya & Mejdalani, 2004, but can be easily distinguished by the shaft of the aedeagus, which has a dorsal lobe on the basal half and no ventroapical lobe, and the female sternite VII with the borders of the posterior emargination sinuous. Our studies indicate that the type locality of the new species and its surrounding Atlantic Forest area in Nova Friburgo harbor an interesting and diverse but still poorly known sharpshooter fauna, including the recently discovered Paratubana auromarginata Côrte et al., 2021 (also from Eryngium) and Cavichiana caelivittata Mejdalani et al., 2023 (from bromeliads).

A new species of Cavichiana from southeastern Brazil, with a key to the species of the genus and notes on the distribution of C. bromelicola (Insecta: Hemiptera: Cicadellidae)

ABSTRACT The sharpshooter genus Cavichiana Mejdalani et al., 2014 included so far only two species of about 6-8 mm in length: C. bromelicola Mejdalani et al., 2014 (type species) and C. alpina Quintas et al., 2020. Both are bromeliad specialists from southeastern and southern Brazil. Here a third species, C. caelivittata sp. nov., is described and illustrated based on males and females from the Serra dos Órgãos massif in state of Rio de Janeiro, southeastern Brazil. The new bromeliad specialist can be readily distinguished from the previously known species by the dorsum with a pair of broad whitish-blue stripes, each one extending from antennal ledge over lateroposterior area of crown, lateral portion of pronotum, basal portion of clavus, and forming an elongate arc on corium up to outer margin of first apical cell; the aedeagus bears a dorsoapical digitiform lobe directed posterad. A key to the three species, based on the coloration and morphology of the aedeagus, is provided. In addition, the distribution of C. bromelicola is discussed; it is suggested that the trade of bromeliads as ornamental plants is causing the spread of this species to various urban and suburban areas of southeastern Brazil.

A new species of the sharpshooter genus Soosiulus (Insecta: Hemiptera: Cicadellidae: Cicadellini) from the Brazilian Amazon Forest, with notes on a putative complex of species

Soosiulus belterrensis sp. nov. is described and illustrated from the Amazon Forest of the state of Pará, northern Brazil. Both the male and female terminalia are treated in detail, in addition to color features. With the addition of this new taxon, the diverse Neotropical genus Soosiulus Young, 1977 now comprises 28 species. The new species is the first one proposed for Soosiulus after the original generic description. It appears to be included in a complex with eleven other Soosiulus species, all of them sharing a very similar color pattern. Among the members of this putative complex, the aedeagus of S. belterrensis sp. nov. is most similar to those of S. hastatus Young, 1977 and S. ruber Young, 1977, due to the presence of a pair of conspicuous dorsoapical processes. However, in S. hastatus and S. ruber the aedeagus has also a retrorse ventroapical process originated from a lobe; both process and lobe are not present in the new species. In addition, the female sternite VII in S. hastatus and S. ruber is convex posteriorly, whereas it has a distinct median emargination in the new species.(AU)

A new species of Erythrogonia Melichar, 1926 (Insecta: Hemiptera: Cicadellidae: Cicadellini) from the Mantiqueira mountain range, southeastern Brazil, associated with olive orchards.

A new species of the diverse Neotropical sharpshooter genus Erythrogonia Melichar, 1926 is described and illustrated from the Mantiqueira mountain range, municipality of Maria da F, state of Minas Gerais, southeastern Brazil. The new taxon is associated with olive orchards and has been implicated as a vector of the bacterium Xylella fastidiosa Wells et al., 1987, which causes a disease known in Brazil as olive leaf scorch syndrome. Erythrogonia sinvali sp. nov. can be distinguished from the other 90 known species of the genus by the following combination of features: (1) crown black without conspicuous contrasting spots; (2) frons with large yellow median spot; (3) pronotum black with large yellow area covering most of disk; (4) forewing dark red, without contrasting spots or stripes, costal margin narrowly black, apical portion dark brown; (5) aedeagus elongate, curved dorsally, with pair of spiniform apical processes; (6) paraphyses greatly reduced; (7) basal portion of male anal tube with pair of spiniform curved processes; (8) posterior margin of female abdominal sternite VII broadly emarginate and with broad central lobe; (9) female sternite VIII with sclerotized areas, including a transverse bar located at bases of ovipositor valvulae I, followed by a pair of elongate sclerites and a posterior bilobed sclerite. Both males and females of the new species are described in detail. A putative group of five species within Erythrogonia is preliminarily proposed, including the new taxon, E. separata Melichar, 1926, E. dorsalis (Signoret, 1853), E. calva (Taschenberg, 1884), and E. melichari Schmidt, 1928. Among these species, the male terminalia of E. sinvali sp. nov. are more similar to those of E. separata.

Two new species of the sharpshooter genus Paratubana (Hemiptera: Cicadellidae: Cicadellini) from alpine fields of Rio de Janeiro state, southeastern Brazil.

Two new species of Paratubana Young, 1977 are described and illustrated from Rio de Janeiro state, southeastern Brazil, based on specimens collected in alpine fields (above 1,800 m) of the Serra dos rgos mountain range. Paratubana auromarginata sp. nov. (Pico da Calednia) can be recognized by the paraphyses with the apex bifurcate, forming an outer subquadrate projection and inner spiniform process, whereas in P. takiyae sp. nov. (Parque Nacional da Serra dos rgos) the paraphyses have a pair of strong spiniform processes directed dorsally and crossing each other. The two new species are apparently closely related to each other and both use Eryngium L. (Apiaceae) as host plants. A key to males of the ten known species of the genus is added, as well as two maps of their known distribution.

Two new species of Balacha (Insecta: Hemiptera: Cicadellidae: Cicadellinae) from Brazil with comments on their phylogenetic position and biogeography.

The sharpshooter genus Balacha Melichar, 1926 has seven recognized species and is distributed in southern South America (Argentina, Brazil, Paraguay, and Uruguay). Here, two new Brazilian species of this genus are described and illustrated, one (B. ancora sp. nov.) from Serra do Caraça and Serra do Cipó (Minas Gerais State) and another (B. nigroflava sp. nov.) from Ponta Grossa (Paraná State) and Passo Fundo (Rio Grande do Sul State). Based on 67 morphological characters, we carried out a parsimony analysis to estimate the phylogenetic position of the two new species. Using implied weighting in TNT, a single topology within Balacha was obtained with k values that varied from 1.599 to 7.412. In this topology, the two new taxa appeared within the clade of black Balacha species. A biogeographical analysis (S-DIVA) suggested that the ancestral area of distribution of Balacha was the Atlantic Forest domain. Balacha species were so far known to have only Eryngium (Apiaceae) species as host plants. Here we report a new host plant for the genus: B. ancora sp. nov. specimens were collected on Actinocephalus polyanthus (Eriocaulaceae). Balacha similis and B. rubripennis are newly recorded from Argentina and specimens of the latter have a very distinct color pattern from the typical Brazilian specimens. Finally, a key to species and maps showing the known distribution of the genus are given (several state records of species are also provided).

Portanini (Insecta, Hemiptera, Cicadellidae): morphology of female terminalia, first record of host plants, a new species of Portanus from Brazil, and taxonomic notes.

Portanus adenomari sp. nov. from the Brazilian states of Minas Gerais, Paraná, and Maranhão is described and illustrated. It can be easily distinguished by the aedeagus with a pair of apical, slender curved processes, crossing each other medially. The previously unknown females of Portanus restingalis Felix Mejdalani, 2016 and Metacephalus facetus (Kramer, 1961), as well as the female terminalia of Metacephalus sakakibarai Souza, Takiya Felix, 2017, are also described in detail. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) images of the ovipositor valvulae of P. restingalis are given. Comparative notes on the morphology of the female terminalia in the tribe Portanini are provided. Specimens of P. restingalis were observed feeding and resting on Bromeliaceae leaves; this is the first record of host plants for the Portanini. Metacephalus marica (Felix Mejdalani, 2016) is regarded as a junior synonym of Metacephalus longicornis (Osborn, 1923).

A remarkable new species of Cavichiana (Hemiptera: Cicadellidae: Cicadellinae) from southeastern Brazil

Cavichiana Mejdalani et al., 2014 was a formerly monotypic Cicadellinae genus exclusively found in bromeliads from southeastern Brazil. Here a new species is described, diagnosed, and illustrated from Itatiaia National Park, municipality of Itamonte, state of Minas Gerais (Mantiqueira mountain range); specimens were collected on Vriesea spp. (Bromeliaceae). Cavichiana alpina sp. nov. (male holotype in DZRJ) can be recognized by the following combination of features: (1) forewing clavus with basal portion and area along commissural margin orange, remainder of claval area blue (except dark brown apex); (2) corium with large blue area adjacent to claval sulcus, connected to blue area of clavus; (3) distal portion of female and male pygofer not sclerotized; (4) aedeagus with distinct basidorsal lobe and with apex narrowly rounded, not bearing crown of spines; and (5) female sternite VII with deep V-shaped posterior emargination. Notes on the distribution of the genus are provided and C. bromelicola Mejdalani et al., 2014 is newly recorded from southern Brazil.

A remarkable new species of Cavichiana (Hemiptera: Cicadellidae: Cicadellinae) from southeastern Brazil

Cavichiana Mejdalani et al., 2014 was a formerly monotypic Cicadellinae genus exclusively found in bromeliads from southeastern Brazil. Here a new species is described, diagnosed, and illustrated from Itatiaia National Park, municipality of Itamonte, state of Minas Gerais (Mantiqueira mountain range); specimens were collected on Vriesea spp. (Bromeliaceae). Cavichiana alpina sp. nov. (male holotype in DZRJ) can be recognized by the following combination of features: (1) forewing clavus with basal portion and area along commissural margin orange, remainder of claval area blue (except dark brown apex); (2) corium with large blue area adjacent to claval sulcus, connected to blue area of clavus; (3) distal portion of female and male pygofer not sclerotized; (4) aedeagus with distinct basidorsal lobe and with apex narrowly rounded, not bearing crown of spines; and (5) female sternite VII with deep V-shaped posterior emargination. Notes on the distribution of the genus are provided and C. bromelicola Mejdalani et al., 2014 is newly recorded from southern Brazil.(AU)

A new species of Cardioscarta (Hemiptera: Cicadellidae: Cicadellini) from the Atlantic Forest of southeastern Brazil and key to species of the genus.

The South American genus Cardioscarta Melichar, 1932 includes seven species of colorful sharpshooters. Here we describe and illustrate an additional species, C. aurantia sp. nov., from the Atlantic Forest of southeastern Brazil (state of Rio de Janeiro). The new taxon can be distinguished by the dark brown to black forewing with two large orange areas, one from basal portion of corium to distal portions of discal cells and another covering most of clavus, or with single large orange area on basal two-thirds. A key to species of Cardioscarta is provided and the new species is compared with the other ones of the genus.

Rediscovery and redescription of the sharpshooter Kogigonaliaincarnata (Germar, 1821), comb. n. (Hemiptera, Cicadellidae, Cicadellini) from the Atlantic Forest of Brazil, with a key to the species of the genus.

The Brazilian sharpshooter Tettigoniaincarnata Germar, 1821 was treated as incertae sedis in the most comprehensive and recent monograph of the New World Cicadellini. We have been able to identify male and female specimens of Tettigoniaincarnata from northeastern and southeastern Brazil using high-resolution images of two syntypes deposited in the Museum für Naturkunde, Universität Humboldt, Berlin. Here we transfer Tettigoniaincarnata to the genus Kogigonalia Young, 1977 and provide a detailed redescription of this species, including information on intraspecific color variation. In addition, we provide an updated key to the species of Kogigonalia. This is the first record of the genus from Brazil. Kogigonaliaincarnata comb. n. can be recognized, among other features, by the subgenital plates with a distinct emargination at outer margin, aedeagus with a ventral unpaired process near midlength of shaft, and female sternite VII bearing an elongate strong projection on posterior margin.

A new genus and new bromelicolous species of Cicadellini (Insecta: Hemiptera: Cicadellidae) from Southeastern Brazil.

A new genus, Cavichiana, is described for a new species of Cicadellini, C. bromelicola, from Southeastern Brazil (states of Rio de Janeiro and São Paulo). The new genus can be distinguished from other genera of the Cicadellini by the following combination of features: (1) head deltoid, strongly produced anteriorly; (2) ocelli located distinctly anterad of anterior eye angles; (3) aedeagus tubular, elongate, its apex with a conspicuous crown of spines; (4) paraphyses with both stalk and rami elongate, rami slender and each with basidorsal dentiform projection. The new species has a distinctive color pattern. The dorsum is dark brown to black with contrasting blue to white spots. The anterior half of the fore wings has a large, circular transcommissural yellow macula bordered by a blue to white border, the anterior portion of this macula covering the scutellum. Specimens of the new species were found on leaves of bromeliads in areas of restinga (sand dune vegetation) of the Atlantic Forest of Southeastern Brazil. Other cases of association between hemipterans and bromeliads are listed and briefly discussed.

Consciência do próprio desvio de fala e processamento auditivo no desvio fonológico / Awareness of their own speech impairment and auditory processing in phonological disorder

TEMA: a habilidade de reconhecimento do próprio desvio de fala e sua possível relação com o processamento auditivo em crianças com diagnóstico de desvio fonológico. PROCEDIMENTOS: participaram do estudo oito sujeitos com diagnóstico de desvio fonológico e idades 5:0;26 e 7:7;2. O sistema fonético/fonológico foi avaliado por meio do instrumento - Avaliação Fonológica da Criança. Aplicou-se ainda o teste de consciência do próprio desvio de fala, o qual tem por finalidade fazer com que a criança ouça e julgue os desvios existentes em sua própria fala. Para avaliação do processamento auditivo, utilizou-se a Avaliação Simplificada do Processamento Auditivo (Triagem), e os testes especiais de Fala no Ruído e o Teste de Dissílabos Alternados. RESULTADOS: todos os sujeitos obtiveram resultados abaixo do esperado, com valores abaixo de 50% do valor máximo possível nos testes de processamento auditivo. Quanto à consciência do próprio desvio de fala, todos os sujeitos apresentaram esta habilidade, mas em valores bastante variáveis ainda que o desempenho dos testes do processamento auditivo não tenham sido satisfatórios. Este achado sugere que as crianças neste período (5-7 anos), mesmo apresentando dificuldade para entender ou interpretar o que ouvem, são capazes de perceber os erros que apresentam na fala. CONCLUSÃO: a consciência do próprio desvio de fala está presente nos sujeitos com desvio fonológico, independentemente do desempenho apresentado em tarefas do processamento auditivo.

BACKGROUND: the ability of recognizing the own speech impairment and its possible relationship with the auditory processing in children with phonological disorder. PROCEDURES: this study included eight subjects diagnosed with phonological disorders, age between 5:0;26 and 7:7;2-year old. The phonetic / phonological system was evaluated by the Phonological Assessment of Child Speech. The Awareness of the own Speech Impairment Test, which aims to make the child listening and judging the deviations existing in their own speech, was applied. For evaluating the auditory processing, we used the Simplified Assessment of Auditory Processing (Screening), and Speech in Noise and the Alternate Dichotic Dissyllable Special Tests. RESULTS: all subjects were rated below expectations, with values below 50% of the maximum possible value in the tests of auditory processing. As for awareness of their own speech impairment, all subjects showed this ability in quite variable values even though their performance in the auditory processing tests was not satisfactory. This finding suggests that children in this period (5 to 7-year old), even the ones with difficulty to understanding or interpreting what they hear, are able to realize the mistakes they have in speech. CONCLUSION: the awareness of the own speech impairment is found in subjects with phonological disorder, regardless the performance in auditory processing tasks.

O processamento auditivo e a combinação de traços distintivos na aquisição de fala em crianças com desvios fonológicos / Auditory processing and combination of distinctive features in speech acquisition in children with phonological disorders

OBJETIVO: Investigar a relação entre as habilidades auditivas e as combinações de traços presentes na fala de crianças com desvios fonológicos. MÉTODOS: Participaram da pesquisa 22 crianças com diagnóstico de desvio fonológico, com idades entre 5 e 7 anos e de ambos os gêneros. Foi feita a coleta dos dados de fala por meio do teste Avaliação Fonológica da Criança. A combinação de traços foi observada mediante o Modelo Implicacional de Complexidade de Traços (MICT). Os traços adquiridos consideraram uma produção correta acima de 80 por cento. Foram aplicados ainda os testes: Avaliação Simplificada do Processamento Auditivo (triagem), Teste Dicótico de Dissílabos Alterados (SSW), Teste Dicótico de Dígitos, Teste de Fusão Binaural, Teste de Fala no Ruído e o Teste de Logoaudiometria Pediátrica (PSI). RESULTADOS: Todas as crianças obtiveram 100 por cento de êxito no PSI. Nos testes de fala no ruído e de fusão binaural, bem como na triagem, os sujeitos também obtiveram médias altas. Os testes SSW e Dicótico de Dígitos mostraram escores baixos. A combinação de traços que se mostrou mais alterada foi a [+aproximante,+contínuo], que está na composição do fonema /r/, seguida de [coronal,+contínuo]/(-anterior), que compõem os fonemas /ʃ,ʒ/. CONCLUSÃO: Os resultados obtidos nos testes SSW e Dicótico de Dígitos mostraram haver alteração nas habilidades de ordenação temporal complexa e figura-fundo, bem como memória sensorial defasada. Ao relacionar com os traços, estas alterações encontradas podem comprometer a aquisição destes traços descritos.

PURPOSE: To investigate the relationship between auditory abilities and combinations of distinctive features present in the speech of children with phonological disorders. METHODS: Participants were 22 children diagnosed with phonological disorders, of both genders, with ages between 5 and 7 years. Speech data were gathered using the Phonological Assessment of Children. The combination of features was observed through the Implicational Model Complexity of Traces (MICT). The acquired features considered a correct production above 80 percent. The following tests were also applied: Simplified Auditory Processing Evaluation (screening), Staggered Spondaix Word Test (SSW), Dichotic Listening Test, Binaural Fusion Test, Speech-in-Noise Test, and Pediatric Speech Intelligibility (PSI). RESULTS: All children had 100 percent success in the PSI. In the Binaural Fusion and Speech-in-Noise tests, as well as in the screening, subjects also had high averages. The SSW and the Dichotic Listening Test showed low scores. The combination of features that was more affected was [+approximant,+continuous], which is in the composition of the phoneme /r/, followed by [coronal,+continuous]/(-front), which compose the phonemes /ʃ,ʒ/. CONCLUSION: The results obtained in the SSW and Dichotic Listening Test showed a deficit in the abilities of complex temporal order and figure-ground, as well as lagged sensorial memory. These deficits might jeopardize the acquisition of the features described.

A generalização estrutural silábica no tratamento do desvio fonológico / Generalization of syllabic structure in the treatment of phonological disorders

OBJETIVO: analisar a generalização estrutural silábica no tratamento realizado. MÉTODOS: a amostra constituiu-se de sete sujeitos, com idades de 4:0 e 7:0 anos, selecionados através do banco de dados da amostra do Centro de Estudos da Linguagem e Fala (CELF) de uma instituição de ensino superior. Os sujeitos selecionados haviam passado por avaliações fonoaudiológicas, apresentando alteração somente no nível fonológico (A1), que havia sido realizada durante a composição do banco de dados. Os pacientes foram posteriormente tratados com o /r/ em Onset Medial pelo Modelo ABAB-Retirada e Provas Múltiplas, por um ciclo de nove sessões terapêuticas, durante nove semanas. Para a análise da generalização estrutural silábica, foram comparados os dados do sistema fonológico obtidos na avaliação fonológica inicial e na Prova de Generalização 1 (PG1). RESULTADOS: o S1 percorreria duas metas, mas houve generalização em apenas uma; o S2 não houve generalização em nenhuma das duas metas indicadas; o S3 e o S4 percorreram as quatro metas que seriam indicadas, e o S5 percorreu as 3 metas propostas. CONCLUSÃO: a análise permitiu verificar de forma detalhada as metas de generalização.

PURPOSE: to analyze the structural generalization syllabic treatment. METHODS: the sample consisted of seven subjects, aged 4:0 to 7:0 years old and selected from a sample database at the Center for the Study of Language and Speech (CELF) located at an institution university.The subjects selected had undergone speech therapy evaluations, presented only change the phonological level (A1), which had taken place during the composition of the database. Patients were subsequently treated with the / r / in the Medial Onset ABAB-Withdrawal and Multiple Probes by a cycle of nine therapeutic sessions during nine weeks. For the analysis of structural generalization syllabic, we compared the data of the phonological system obtained in the initial phonological and Proof of Generalization 1 (PG1). RESULTS: S1 would go through two goals, but was generalization in only one, the S2 was not generalization in either targets set, the S3 and S4 walked the four goals that would be displayed, and S5 toured the 3 goals. CONCLUSION: the analysis has shown in detail the goals of generalization.

Auditory processing in children with normal and disordered speech.

UNLABELLED: Phonological speech disorders are characterized by abnormal development towards the adult target pattern; its etiology is unknown. It is thought the this condition results from auditory processing disorders involving the abilities required for human beings to understand what is heard. AIM: To investigate the relationship between auditory processing and the acquisition of disordered or normal speech, drawing comparisons between these profiles. MATERIAL AND METHOD: A prospective, contemporary, cross-sectional study comprising a sample of 44 subjects aged 5 to 7 years; two groups were formed: a study group (SG) comprising children with disordered speech acquisition, and a control group (CG) consisting of children with normal speech acquisition. A simplified evaluation of auditory processing was undertaken: the PSI test in Portuguese; the speech-in-noise test; the binaural fusion test; the dichotic digit test; and the staggered spondaic word test (SSW). RESULTS: There was a statistically significant difference between the two groups; the SG scored worse than the CG in all the tests. The PSI test only - with a 100% success rate - scored equally in both groups. CONCLUSION: Auditory processing may affect speech development.

Evaluation of auditory processing and phonemic discrimination in children with normal and disordered phonological development.

UNLABELLED: Auditory processing and phonemic discrimination are essential for communication. TYPE OF STUDY: Retrospective. AIM: To evaluate auditory processing and phonemic discrimination in children with normal and disordered phonological development. MATERIAL AND METHODS: An evaluation of 46 children was carried out: 22 had phonological disorders and 24 had normally developing speech. Diotic , monotic and dichotic tests were applied to assess auditory processing and a test to evaluate phonemic discrimination abilities. DESIGN: Cross-sectional, contemporary. RESULTS: The values of normally-developing children were within the normal range in all auditory processing tests; these children attained maximum phonemic discrimination test scores. Children with phonological disorders performed worse in the latter, and presented disordered auditory processing. CONCLUSION: Auditory processing and phonemic discrimination in children with phonological disorders are altered.

Auditory processing, acoustic reflex and phonological expression.

UNLABELLED: It is thought that a close relationship exists between auditory processing, the acoustic reflex and speech. AIM: A retrospective study to evaluate these three aspects in children with and without phonological disorders and seek any relationship among them. MATERIAL METHODS: 46 children were enrolled: 24 had normal speech abilities and 22 had phonological disorders. All children underwent auditory processing and acoustic reflex threshold testing. DESIGN: Cross-sectional contemporary. RESULTS: Auditory processing and acoustic reflex thresholds were abnormal in all children with phonological disorders. This was not the case in children with normal speech development. CONCLUSION: Changes in the auditory processing and acoustic reflex thresholds are closely related to speech difficulties.

Processamento auditivo e consciência fonológica em crianças com aquisição de fala normal e desviante / Auditory processing and phonological awareness in children with normal and deviant speech development

TEMA: processamento auditivo (PA) e consciência fonológica (CF) em crianças com e sem desvio fonológico. OBJETIVO: comparar o desempenho de crianças com e sem desvio fonológico em teste de CF e verificar a possível relação entre os desempenhos nas distintas tarefas deste teste com o desempenho na avaliação do PA. MÉTODO: participaram da pesquisa 44 crianças com e sem diagnóstico de desvio fonológico, com idades entre 5:0 anos e 7:0 anos e de ambos os sexos. Após coleta da amostra de fala os sujeitos foram divididos em grupo estudo (GE), composto por crianças com desvio fonológico, e grupo controlo (GC) com crianças sem desvios fonológicos. Foi feita avaliação da CF por meio do uso do Protocolo de Tarefas de Consciência Fonológica (PTCF), e avaliação simplificada do PA (triagem), Teste de Dissílabos alterados - Staggered Spondaic Word (SSW), Teste Dicótico de Dígitos e o teste de Fusão binaural. RESULTADOS: tanto na avaliação de CF quanto nas avaliações do PA, as crianças do GC obtiveram resultados superiores àqueles obtidos pelas crianças do GE. Ao correlacionar o PA com a CF, houve mais correlações no GE. CONCLUSÃO: há significativa relação entre o desempenho do PA e os êxitos obtidos nas tarefas de CF em crianças com desvios fonológicos.

BACKGROUND: auditory processing (AP) and phonological awareness (PA) in children with and without phonological disorders. AIM: to compare the performance of children with and without phonological disorders in a PA test; to verify the possible relationship between performances in distinct tasks of this test with the performance in the AP evaluation. METHOD: participants were 44 children with and without the diagnosis of phonological disorder, aged between 5:0 and 7:0 years, of both genders. After speech samples were gathered, subjects were divided into two groups: a study group (SG), composed by children with phonological disorders, and a control group (CG) with children without phonological disorders. PA was assessed through the Protocol Task Awareness Test (PTAT), and through the simplified AP evaluation (screening) - Disyllabic change - Staggered Spondaic Word (SSW), dichotic listening test and the binaural fusion test. RESULTS: in both PA and AP assessments, children of the CG obtained better results. When correlating the results of AP and PA, a greater number of correlations were observed for the SG. CONCLUSION: a significant relationship between the performance in the AP evaluation and success in PA tasks exists for children with phonological disorders.

Processamento auditivo em crianças com fala normal e desviante / Auditory processing in children with normal and disordered speech

Desvios fonológicos são alterações de fala caracterizadas por afastamento do padrão de desenvolvimento do alvo-adulto e sua etiologia é desconhecida. Acredita-se que seu aparecimento pode ocorrer pelo déficit do processamento auditivo (DPA), este que é um conjunto de habilidades que o ser humano necessita para entender o que ouve. OBJETIVO: Verificar a relação do Processamento auditivo com a aquisição de fala normal e desviante e traçar um comparativo entre os perfis. MATERIAL E MÉTODO: Este é um estudo prospectivo, contemporâneo, transversal, composto por amostra de 44 sujeitos entre 5 e 7 anos, divididos em dois grupos: Grupo estudo (GE) com crianças que tiveram aquisição desviante de fala; Grupo controle (GC) com crianças que tiveram aquisição normal de fala. Foi realizada a avaliação simplificada do processamento auditivo; o Teste PSI em português; o Teste Fala no ruído; o Teste Fusão Binaural; O Teste Dicótico de Dígitos; e o Teste de Dissílabos alternados - (SSW). RESULTADOS: Houve diferença estatisticamente significativa entre os dois grupos, na qual o GE obteve resultados inferiores ao GC em todos os testes. Apenas o teste PSI não apresentou alterações, com 100 por cento de êxito. CONCLUSÃO: O processamento auditivo pode interferir no desenvolvimento de fala.

Phonological speech disorders are characterized by abnormal development towards the adult target pattern; its etiology is unknown. It is thought the this condition results from auditory processing disorders involving the abilities required for human beings to understand what is heard. AIM: To investigate the relationship between auditory processing and the acquisition of disordered or normal speech, drawing comparisons between these profiles. MATERIAL AND METHOD: A prospective, contemporary, cross-sectional study comprising a sample of 44 subjects aged 5 to 7 years; two groups were formed: a study group (SG) comprising children with disordered speech acquisition, and a control group (CG) consisting of children with normal speech acquisition. A simplified evaluation of auditory processing was undertaken: the PSI test in Portuguese; the speech-in-noise test; the binaural fusion test; the dichotic digit test; and the staggered spondaic word test (SSW). RESULTS: There was a statistically significant difference between the two groups; the SG scored worse than the CG in all the tests. The PSI test only - with a 100 percent success rate - scored equally in both groups. CONCLUSION: Auditory processing may affect speech development.