Research Priorities in Speech

The need for increased research activity in speech and its disorders is reviewed. Increasing interest in language and its disorders appears to have lessened research activity in areas commonly identified as speech disorders: articulation, voice and rhythm. Yet these areas, as well as all aspects of the total communication function, are little understood and some current understandings are even likely to be inaccurate. Thus, not only is additional new research needed but reinvestigation of current beliefs is also essential. Goals for communication research can be classified under five areas: better understanding of the speech mechanism, the communication processes, the individual as a communicator, disorders of speech, and prevention and remediation. Specific research needs are discussed in each of these five broad categories.