The Description and Comparison of Feature Retention Patterns for Children with Phonological Impairment Developmental Apraxia of Speech and Typically Developing Children.

The purpose of the present study was to compare feature retention patterns between children developing speech typically (TD) and children with phonological impairment (PI) and to discuss these findings in terms of characteristics, severity, and implication for the identification of developmental apraxia of speech (DAS). A second purpose was to determine if a relationship exists between phonological knowledge and feature retention. This study consisted of a PI group and a TD group of children, ages four to six. A 245-item speech sample was collected from each subject. Feature retention percentages as well as percent correct underlying representation (PCUR) were calculated for each child. Both PI and TD groups retained place the least, voice the most, with manner falling in between. These patterns corresponded with what past researchers found in studies of children with phonological impairment and children diagnosed with DAS. No significant correlation was found between PCUR and feature retention