Our Research

Speech Motor Chaining is an evidence-based treatment strategy designed to for motor learning of single speech sound errors caused by residual speech sound disorders and childhood apraxia of speech.

We've gathered a summary of research conducted using Speech Motor Chaining. Many articles are available through open access or PubMed Commons (links provided). If you have institutional access, we recommend downloading directly from the journal—this ensures you receive the final peer-reviewed version with accurate formatting while supporting the research community and helping authors track important publication metrics.

Want to Learn More About Speech Motor Chaining?

Start here: Tutorial Article from LSHSS

Published Research with Speech Motor Chaining

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.
Read in American Journal of Speech-Language Pathology (open access)

Herbst, B.M., Beiting, M., Schultheiss, M, Benway, N.R. & Preston, J.L. (2024). Speech in Ten-Minute Sessions: A Pilot Randomized Controlled Trial of the Chaining SPLITS Service Delivery Model. Language, Speech, and Hearing Services in Schools, 56(1),102-117.
Read in Language, Speech, and Hearing Services in Schools | PubMed Central (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.
Read in 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.
Read in 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.
Read in Language, Speech & Hearing Services in Schools | 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.
Read in 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.
Read in 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.
Read in 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.
Read in 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.
Read in 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.
Read in 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.
Read in 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.
Read in 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.
Read in American Journal of Speech-Language Pathology | PubMed Central (open access)

Current Research with Speech Motor Chaining

iChain Project
This groundbreaking project pursues three important goals. First, it investigates how treatment distribution affects outcomes for residual speech sound disorders using Speech Motor Chaining. Second, it advances our understanding of artificial intelligence integration into speech therapy sessions for /r/. Third, it develops speech classifiers that can detect clear versus distorted productions of /s/ and /z/—laying the foundation for future home-practice systems that empower families.
Learn more at the Speech Production Lab

Other Speech Motor Chaining Research (Replication Studies)

Raaz, C. V., Cox, D. G., Farrell, T. L., & Reisfeld, N. D. (2025). Evaluation of Online Parent Training and Structured Home Practice for Children With Speech Sound Disorder. Communication Disorders Quarterly, 0(0).
https://doi.org/10.1177/15257401251337740