Audiovisual speech perception in children: a scoping review

ABSTRACT This scoping review provides a descriptive synthesis of available evidence on children's audiovisual speech perception. We used eight databases to identify the experimental studies published 2000–2019, and reported the data using the guidelines of PRISMA-ScR designed for scoping reviews. While research conducted prior to 2000 provided a strong foundation in this area, the past two decades have brought technical advances that have allowed for more precise measurement of audiovisual speech perception. Thirty-eight studies were identified: 18 articles that focused on children with typical development, 9 focused on children with autism spectrum disorder, 8 focused on children with speech and language disorders, and 3 focused on children with hearing loss. Most of the studies identified were behavioral studies, while a minority reported on neuroanatomical correlates underlying the audiovisual speech perception. Through this scoping review, key gaps were identified that include few studies in clinical populations, a few studies on languages other than English, and variability in terminology to describe similar or overlapping concepts. Further research is needed to inform the development and mechanisms of audiovisual speech integration in children with different language development paths. In addition, the use of common terminology in future research would improve access to evidence and the communication of this knowledge for researchers and clinicians.