Effects of stimulating abilities on phonological awareness in the reorganization of the phonological system: case report

Abstract

Aim: This study aimed to present and analyze the effects of phonological awareness stimulation in the therapy of phonological disorders, comparing three different therapeutic approaches. Methods: Seven subjects, with a 6-year-old average, with diagnosis of phonological disorders, divided in three groups, participated in the study, according to the type of received therapy: purely phonological therapy, therapy based on stimulation of phonological awareness skills and phonological therapy associated with stimulation of phonological awareness skills. The subjects were evaluated before and after therapy, in relation to phonetic inventory, phonological system, phonological disorder severity and performance in phonological awareness. The obtained results were analyzed in a descriptive way. Results: It was observed that all subjects, except S7, reorganized their phonological systems. All subjects improved their scores in syllabic tasks, phonemic tasks and correct answers. The subjects who received therapy related to stimulation of phonological awareness skills, associated or not to phonological therapy, obtained the best scores in phonological awareness after therapy. Conclusion: The presented and analyzed approaches provided phonological system reorganization of most treated subjects. The approaches which concerned stimulation of phonological awareness skills promoted further development of this ability.