Speech Motor Chaining is an evidence-based treatment strategy for treating speech sound errors due to residual speech sound disorders (RSSDs) and childhood apraxia of speech (CAS). This treatment approach was developed by Dr. Preston throughout several clinical studies. It has also been developed into a custom website.
We have compiled a brief summary of research that we have completed using Speech Motor Chaining. Some of the articles are open access or available via the PubMed Commons (links provided). If you have institutional access to the original journal publications, downloading directly from a journal ensures you’re getting the final, peer-reviewed version of an article, with accurate formatting and reliable content. It helps support the journal and the research community by contributing to funding for future studies and ensuring authors can attach the proper metrics to their publications.
If you’re interested in replicating our research or using Speech Motor Chaining in your own research or clinical practice, feel free to contact us about collaborations.
Interested in learning more about Speech Motor Chaining?
Start here with our Tutorial Article from LSHSS
Research using SMC
- Benway, N. R., & Preston, J. L. (2024). Artificial intelligence-assisted speech therapy for /ɹ/: A single-case experimental study. American Journal of Speech-Language Pathology, 33(5), 2461-2486.
American Journal of Speech-Language Pathology (open access) - Preston, J. L.,Caballero, N. F., Leece, M. C., Wang, D., Herbst, B., & Benway, N. R. (2023). A randomized controlled trial of treatment distribution and biofeedback effects on speech production in school-aged children with apraxia of speech. Journal of Speech, Language & Hearing Research, 67(9S), 3414-3436.
Journal of Speech, Language, and Hearing Research (open access) - McCabe, P., Preston, J. L., Evans, P., & Heard, R. (2023). A pilot randomized control trial of motor-based treatments for childhood apraxia of speech: Rapid syllable transition treatment and ultrasound biofeedback. American Journal of Speech-Language Pathology, 32(2), 629-644.
American Journal of Speech-Language Pathology (open access) - Raaz, C. V., Leece, M. C., McAllister, T., & Preston, J. L. (2021). Treatment generalization from trained /r/ to untrained /l/: A case study of persisting distortion errors. Clinical Linguistics & Phonetics, 35(12), 1210-1219.
Clinical Linguistics & Phonetics
PubMed Central (open access) - Preston, J. L., Leece, M. C. & Storto, J. (2019). Tutorial: Speech motor chaining treatment for school-age children with speech sound disorders. Language, Speech & Hearing Services in Schools, 50(3), 343-355.
Language, Speech & Hearing Services in Schools (link above)
PubMed Central (open access) - Preston, J. L., Leece, M. C., McNamara, K., & Maas, E. (2017). Variable practice to enhance speech learning in ultrasound biofeedback treatment for childhood apraxia of speech: A single case experimental study. American Journal of Speech-Language Pathology, 26(3), 840-852.
American Journal of Speech-Language Pathology
PubMed Central (open access) - Preston, J. L., & Leece, M. C. (2017). Intensive treatment for persisting rhotic distortions: A case series. American Journal of Speech-Language Pathology, 26(4), 1066-1079.
American Journal of Speech-Language Pathology
PubMed Central (open access) - Preston, J. L., Leece, M. C., & Maas, E. (2017). Motor-based treatment with and without ultrasound feedback for residual speech-sound errors. International Journal of Language & Communication Disorders, 52(1), 80-94.
International Journal of Language and Communication Disorders
PubMed Central (open access) - Preston, J. L., Leece, M. C., & Maas, E. (2016). Intensive treatment with ultrasound visual feedback for speech sound errors in childhood apraxia. Frontiers in Human Neuroscience, 10, 440.
Frontiers in Human Neuroscience (open access) - Sjolie*, G., Leece, M.C., & Preston, J.L (2016). Acquisition, retention, and generalization of rhotics with and without ultrasound visual feedback. Journal of Communication Disorders, 64, 62-77.
Journal of Communication Disorders
PubMed Central (open access) - Preston, J. L., Maas, E., Whittle, J., Leece, M. C., & McCabe, P. (2016). Limited acquisition and generalisation of rhotics with ultrasound visual feedback in childhood apraxia. Clinical Linguistics & Phonetics, 30(3-5), 363-381.
Clinical Linguistic & Phonetics
PubMed Central (open access) - Preston, J. L., McCabe, P., Rivera-Campos, A., Whittle, J. L., Landry, E., & Maas, E. (2014). Ultrasound visual feedback treatment and practice variability for residual speech sound errors. Journal of Speech, Language, and Hearing Research, 57(6), 2102-2115.
Journal of Speech, Language, and Hearing Research
PubMed Central (open access) - Preston, J. L., & Leaman, M. (2014). Ultrasound visual feedback for acquired apraxia of speech: A case report. Aphasiology, 28(3), 278-295.
Aphasiology - Preston, J. L., Brick, N., & Landi, N. (2013). Ultrasound biofeedback treatment for persisting childhood apraxia of speech. American Journal of Speech-Language Pathology, 22(4), 627-643.
American Journal of Speech-Language Pathology
PubMed Central (open access)
Current Projects using SMC
- Preston, Benway, Caballero, Fiorante iChain
This project has three goals. First, we are examining the effects of treatment distribution for residual speech sound disorders using Speech Motor Chaining. Second, we are continuing to study the effects of artificial-intelligence integration into speech therapy sessions for /r/. Third, we are developing speech classifiers that detect clear and distorted productions of /s/ and /z/ to ultimately build systems for home-practice. - Herbst & Preston SPLITS (SPeech Lessons in Intensive Ten-minute Sessions)
This project examined the impact of Speech Motor Chaining when delivered via telepractice in short 10-minute sessions for children ages 7-9 years with /r/ distortions. Children who received this treatment made greater gains in production of /r/ syllables than children on a waitlist.