Please use this identifier to cite or link to this item: https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/50991
Title: Facilitating the assessment and analysis of child’s speech in the Maltese context
Authors: Buttigieg, Loridana
Keywords: Speech therapy for children -- Malta
Communicative disorders in children -- Malta
Assistive computer technology -- Malta
Speech therapists -- Malta
Issue Date: 2019
Citation: Buttigieg, L. (2019). Facilitating the assessment and analysis of child’s speech in the Maltese context (Master’s dissertation).
Abstract: The aim of this study was to evaluate the reliability and validity of the online Maltese English Speech Assessment (MESA) (Grech, Dodd & Franklin, 2011) and the accuracy of the novel Maltese-English Automatic Speech Recognition (ASR) system. Ten Speech Language Pathologists (SLPs) were interviewed to explore their opinion on the use of technology during Speech-Language Therapy (SLT), tele-practice and the online MESA. Results indicated that SLPs were willing to implement technology during SLT sessions. Yet, they were less interested in tele-practice. The SLPs were generally satisfied with the online MESA and claimed that they prefer it over the manual version. Any limitations were pinpointed and recommendations were put forward. A total of 21 children were assessed twice, once using the picture-based version of the MESA and another time using the online MESA. Findings showed that the online MESA could generate comparable results to the manual version. The administration time of both assessment modalities did not differ significantly; however, the time required to analyse results significantly decreased with the online MESA. A total of 18 other children were assessed twice using the online MESA. The results generated were compared to each other to determine the test-retest reliability. The quantitative and qualitative scores were generally consistent. Lastly, a total of 27 other children were assessed twice using the Maltese-English ASR system. The children’s responses were transcribed by the SLP and the ASR simultaneously. The ASR system was found to be less accurate than the human expert. Yet, results exhibited that the accuracy can be improved if further recordings are collected. This study has set the path for a new era in the provision of SLT in Malta. Further work is required to deliver an improved version of the online MESA and a more accurate ASR system. Having these systems in place would inevitably facilitate the assessment process of child’s speech within the local context, and possibly beyond, since this project may also be adapted for other cross-linguistic contexts.
Description: M.COMMUNICATION THERAPY
URI: https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/50991
Appears in Collections:Dissertations - FacHSc - 2019
Dissertations - FacHScCT - 2019

Files in This Item:
File Description SizeFormat 
19MSCMTR01.pdf
  Restricted Access
6.23 MBAdobe PDFView/Open Request a copy


Items in OAR@UM are protected by copyright, with all rights reserved, unless otherwise indicated.