Abstract

Within this thesis, the benefits of music-based intervention used within speech therapy sessions is explored through the study of neurology, literature reviews, and research data. The neurological pathways of speech and music depend on common processes in the mind; this relationship could potentially reveal benefits when using certain music activities in speech therapy sessions. The neurological link between language and music has been implemented in studies in speech therapy clients with fluency disorders (stuttering), patients with Parkinson’s disease, and children with autism spectrum disorders (ASD). However, there is a shockingly small number of studies surrounding patients with speech sound disorders, one of the most common populations treated in the field of speech therapy. These studies, along with an analysis of neurological pathways involved in both music and speech processing, provided knowledge that guided independent research with a client in the Eastern Kentucky University Speech-Language-Hearing Clinic with an articulation disorder. Data was collected to assess the use of auditory bombardment through song and musical instruction during speech therapy sessions with this client. The use of these musical interventions showed an increase in both motivation and enjoyment of speech therapy; an increase in these areas of client response correlates with an increase in progress towards speech therapy goals. While there are many limitations to the study that do not allow the results to be generalized, there are many evident benefits of music intervention in speech therapy sessions that have been identified through this study.

Semester/Year of Award

Spring 2022

Mentor

Jade H. Robinson

Mentor Department Affiliation

Communication

Mentor Professional Affiliation

Communication Sciences and Disorders

Access Options

Open Access Thesis

Document Type

Bachelor Thesis

Degree Name

Honors Scholars

Degree Level

Bachelor's

Department

Communication

Department Name when Degree Awarded

Communication Sciences and Disorders

IRB Approval Number (if applicable)

004409

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