Physiology of Articulation and Resonance pt 1

Be able to describe each type of instrumentation used to evaluate articulation, as discussed in class (see sub-bullet below). You only need to know them well enough to tell them apart if given a description (e.g., if I describe one, be able to pick out the correctly matching name of the instrumentation). Cineradiography, MRI, Ultrasound, Electropalatography, Acoustic measures Development of the Vocal Tract Be able to describe/explain the age-related size and development of the vocal tract Development of Motor Control Be able to explain what motor control babies in utero have (i.e., what movement are they capable of), and what are the purposes of these movements Same question for newborns, infants, and children

Cineradiography

• Uses moving X-ray images to observe speech movements.

• Shows how the tongue, jaw, and other structures move during speech

MRI (Magnetic Resonance Imaging)

• Uses magnetic fields to create images of the vocal tract.

• Allows researchers to observe the position and shape of structures such as the tongue and soft palate

Ultrasound

• Uses sound waves to create images of the tongue.

• A probe is placed underneath the chin.

• Allows researchers to see tongue movement during speech

Electropalatography (EPG)

• Uses an artificial palate containing electrodes.

• Detects where the tongue makes contact with the roof of the mouth.

• Shows tongue-to-palate contact patterns during speech.

Acoustic Measures

• Analyze the sound produced during speech.

• Examine characteristics of the speech signal

Moving X-ray images

Cineradiography

Images of vocal tract structures

MRI

Tongue movement

Ultrasound

Tongue contact with palate

Electropalatography

Speech sounds

Acoustic measures

The vocal tract changes in _____, ______, and ______as a person grows

size, shape, proportions

Vocal Tract Length (VTL): At birth

approximately 6–8 cm

Vocal Tract Length (VTL): In adults

approximately 15–18 cm

Growth pattern: 0–24 months

Rapid changes in vocal tract size

Growth pattern: Until ~7 years

Steady development

Growth pattern: 10–18 years

Final phase of development during adolescence

Proportional changes: Larynx (infacts)

the larynx is positioned high in the neck

Proportional changes: Larynx (adults)

The larynx descends and moves farther away from the oral cavity.

Proportional changes: Epiglottis

As the vocal tract develops, the epiglottis provides progressively less protection from penetration

Proportional changes: Tongue

The tongue descends into the floor of the mandible as the mandible grows

Babies have a ____vocal tract, a higher larynx, and _____proportions than adults. These structures change as they _____

shorter; different; grow

Most human motor acts require coordination of multiple muscles to get the right….

Range, Speed, Strength

Speech is the most _____sequential motor act

complex

Articulation consists of many muscles moving ____ as agonists/antagonists, under different _____, to produce ______

together; conditions; phonemes

Articulation is…

1. Fast

2. Planned multiple phonemes ahead

3. Consistent & accurate in different contexts across multiple trials

4. Connected to feedback systems from touch and hearing

5. Learned through extensive practice

What is sensorimotor development?

the process where babies develop movement and learn through the connection between their senses and movements

“the self-organizing emergence of complex forms from spontaneously

generated activity, governed by the innate capacity to detect and

memorize the consequences of spontaneous activity (contingencies),

and constrained by the sensory and motor maturation of the body”

sensorimotor development

What are the 3 purposes of sensorimotor development? babies in utero

• Sensorimotor learning

• Development of reflexes

• Development of anatomy and physiology

Sensorimotor learning: babies in utero

Learning through movement and sensory experiences

Development of reflexes: babies in utero

Developing automatic responses

Development of anatomy and physiology: babies in utero

Developing the body structures and functions needed for the sensorimotor system.

When does movement begin? babies in utero

During the first trimester, around 7–8 weeks.

What are the first types of movements? babies in utero

• Spontaneous startles

• General movements

Spontaneous startles: babies in utero

Sudden, automatic movements

General movements: babies in utero

Spontaneous movements involving different parts of the body

What develops after startles and general movements? babies in utero

Sequenced movements

Sequenced movements: babies in utero

Movements where different body parts move in an organized order

Movement Development Sequence: babies in utero

Spontaneous startles→General movements→Sequenced movements

babies are already practicing ______before birth, helping their bodies and sensory systems _____.

movements; develop

What are reflexes? newborns

Automatic, involuntary movements or responses that happen when a baby receives a certain stimulus

Important Newborn Reflexes

1. Rooting Reflex

2. Suck Reflex

3. Grasp Reflex

Rooting Reflex: newborn

Touching the baby's cheek causes the baby to turn their head toward the touch

Suck Reflex: newborn

Touching the baby's palate (roof of the mouth) causes the baby to begin sucking

Grasp Reflex: newborn

Stroking the baby's palm causes the baby to close their fingers and grasp

What are the purposes of newborn reflexes?

• Support sustenance (basic needs like feeding).

• Support motor development

How much control does a newborn have over their motor system?

Newborns have poor motor control. They cannot fully control or coordinate their movements yet

What are newborn movements like?

Gross movements, Responses to the environment, Responses to needs

As infants grow, they begin gaining ____control over their movements.

more

What changes during infancy?

1. Voluntary movements

2. Purposeful motor patterns

3. Graded movements of the mandible

4. Differentiated tongue movements

Voluntary movements: infants

The infant begins controlling movements of the trunk, neck, and limbs

Purposeful motor patterns: infants

Movements become intentional instead of just automatic responses

Graded movements of the mandible: infants

The infant learns to control jaw movements with different amounts of movement.

Differentiated tongue movements: infants

The infant begins moving the tongue in more distinct and controlled ways.

3 months

What does the infant do?

Smiling, cooing, different cries for different needs

6 months

What does the infant do?

Gurgling, babbling, different voices for pleasure/displeasure

12 months

What does the infant do?

• Imitating sounds

• First few words, usually mama, dada, etc.

As children grow, they gradually gain _____control over their body movements

better

What develops first? children

Gross or fine movements?

Gross movements before fine movements

What develops first? children

Head, neck, and trunk control or mandible and tongue control

Head, neck, and trunk control

Development Order: children

Gross movements→Fine movements→Head, neck, and trunk control→jaw and tongue control→Quick articulator adjustments

Quick developmental sequence: in utero

Spontaneous movements, startles, and early sensorimotor learning

Quick developmental sequence: nerborn

Reflexive, gross movements with limited motor control

Quick developmental sequence: infant

Increasing voluntary control, jaw movement, tongue differentiation, babbling

Quick developmental sequence: child

More precise, coordinated, and rapid articulatory movements