The influence of the dynamics and the level of maturity of the cortical functions as a prerequisite for the development of speech in children

Abstract

Introduction/Objective The development of speech is the result of interaction of different systems of the cortex, which gradually acquires the ability of phonological presentation and motor control, in the presence of a series of physical and physiological changes in the morphology of the articulation system. The objective of the study was to examine the impact of laterality and cortical responses on the development of speech in children.

Methods Research is a quasi-experimental design with two groups. The sample covered 60 children from Belgrade, of both sexes, ages 5.5–7 years, divided into two groups, experimental (30) and control (30). We used the following instruments: test for assessing laterality and ascertaining evoked potentials.

Results On the visual lateralization subtest there was a statistically significant difference (χ² = 7.56, p < 0.05) between the observed groups. The visual evoked potentials on all measured parameters gave a statistically significant difference between the groups: waveform cortical responses – left (χ² = 30.00, df = 1, p < 0.05); cortical responses – right (χ² = 6.667, df = 1 , p < 0.05); waveform amplitude – left (χ² = 13.469, df = 1, p < 0.05); amplitude – right (χ² = 40.00, df = 1, p < 0.05), somatosensory potentials (χ² = 18.261, df = 1, p <0.05); waveform amplitude (χ² = 12.000, df = 1, p < 0.05); waveform latency (χ² = 5.455, df = 1, p < 0.05).

Conclusion Visual laterality, as well as visual and somatosensory cortical responses to stimuli is better in children without the present articulation disorder, which could be used for timely prevention planning.

Keywords: speech; laterality; children; articulation disorder; evoked potentials