Defense Date

7-6-2012

Graduation Date

Summer 2012

Availability

Immediate Access

Submission Type

thesis

Degree Name

MS

Department

Speech-Language Pathology (SLP)

School

Rangos School of Health Sciences

Committee Chair

Heather Leavy Rusiewicz

Committee Member

Gary J. Rentschler

Committee Member

Craig Coleman

Keywords

Children, Development, Disfluencies, Gesture, Motor skills, Preschool

Abstract

Interest in gesture production has considerably increased in recent decades, yet few studies have examined the preschool population. Even fewer studies have examined the intriguing interaction between motor skills and gesture. The original intent of this study was to investigate the relationship of gesture and motor skills in individuals who stutter. However due to recruitment limitations the enrolled sample consists solely of typically developing preschoolers, 3:8 to 6:6 years. Data are presented on gestures and disfluencies during spontaneous speech, a cartoon narration, and a video narration. Additionally, disfluencies were observed during a procedural description task with restricted hand use and hand tapping. Data indicated that higher frequencies of gestures and disfluencies were seen during the cartoon narration. A greater frequency of disfluencies was also experienced with restricted hand use. Relationships between the variables were also explored. Limitations and implications of these results are discussed from both theoretical and clinical perspectives.

Format

PDF

Language

English

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