Validity and Reliability of the Turkish Version of the Dynamic Evaluation of Motor Speech Skill (DEMSS‐TR) Test for Children With Speech Sound Disorders

What is already known on the subject It is performed with the Dynamic Evaluation of Motor Speech Skills (DEMSS) (Strand et al. 2013; Strand and McCauley 2019), which performs the dynamic evaluation of childhood apraxia of speech (CAS), one of the subtypes of speech sound disorders. Although the original language of the test is English, there are validity and reliability studies in Swedish and Brazilian Portuguese. What this paper adds to existing knowledge This study represents the first international research on CAS in Turkish, presenting reliability and validity data for the first Turkish CAS assessment tool. Uniquely, the study adhered strictly to the original English DEMSS during its adaptation. Unlike other language studies, this research employed Cluster Analysis, a less common validation method in speech and language impairment scales, providing a valuable guide for future test development or adaptation. Additionally, it highlights the importance of dynamic evaluation in the field of motor speech disorders, demonstrating its practical application. What are the potential or actual clinical implications of this work? This study holds significant clinical implications, particularly in improving the accuracy and standardisation of motor speech assessments for Turkish-speaking children. By validating this tool, clinicians can more precisely diagnose and tailor treatment plans for individuals with motor speech disorders, especially CAS, ensuring that interventions are both culturally and linguistically appropriate. This advancement not only enhances the consistency of assessments across different clinical settings but also contributes to more effective and individualised speech therapy, ultimately leading to better patient outcomes.