THE APPLICATION OF ELECTROPALATOGRAPHY (EPG) TO THE REMEDIATION OF SPEECH DISORDERS IN SCHOOL-AGED CHILDREN AND YOUNG-ADULTS

Electropalatography (EPG) is one of a number of computer-based biofeed back techniques being applied increasingly and apparently successfully to the treatment of speech pathologies. This paper briefly examines t he function of such biofeedback systems within the remediation process and looks in particular at the features of the EPG system which rende r it a useful therapeutic tool. Details are summarised of a project in itiated to evaluate the use of EPG in the management of a large group of speech-disordered children and young adults. Successful application s of the technique are presented by examining the different types of m otor speech skill which subjects acquired during intervention. These a re summarised as the establishment of completely new articulatory patt erns, the inhibition of abnormal lingual patterns, and the modificatio n of temporal or spatial aspects of one or several existing patterns. Possible reasons for the success of EPG as a therapeutic technique, an d issues concerning subject selection, are discussed.