Auditory-Perceptual Assessment of Resonance and Speech Related to Velopharyngeal Function: Content Validation of a List of Sentences in Qubec French

It has long been recognized that a quality speech sample is needed to assess individuals with velopharyngeal dysfunction. However, no list of controlled sentences in Qu & eacute;bec French has been published for the auditory -perceptual assessment of velopharyngeal function to date. The goal of this clinical project was therefore to develop and validate a list of controlled sentences in Qu & eacute;bec French. Using a deliberative inquiry, this action research project was carried out in collaboration with speech -language pathologists with expertise in resonance disorders and velopharyngeal dysfunctions in two phases: (a) creation of the list of sentences and (b) content validation of the sentences and documentation of their usage characteristics. In Phase 1, members of a community of practice developed 20 sentences based on specific phonetic -linguistic criteria. Phase 2 began by sending out a questionnaire to evaluate respect for and completeness of the criteria for each sentence and to document the contexts in which the tool was used. The questionnaire was completed by 13 speech -language pathologists who had used the list of sentences in their practice. Two group meetings were then held to discuss the final modifications to be made to the list. The expert speech -language pathologists considered the sentence list to have good content validity. They also recommend using the final version of the list of sentences when performing auditory -perceptual assessments of individuals aged 3-4 years to adulthood.