Diadochokinesis (often oral diadochokinesis) is the ability to perform rapid, alternating movements such as repeating syllables like “puh-tuh-kuh.” An SLP may measure diadochokinetic (DDK) rate to assess the agility and coordination of the oral musculature. Slower or irregular DDK rates can indicate disorders such as dysarthria or apraxia of speech. Assessing diadochokinesis helps SLPs diagnose motor speech disorders and track articulatory performance over time.
Fletcher, Samuel G. “Time-by-Count Measurement of Diadochokinetic Syllable Rate.” Journal of Speech and Hearing Research 15, no. 4 (1972).
Yaruss, J. S., and K. Logan. "Evaluating Rate, Accuracy, and Fluency of Young Children's Diadochokinetic Productions: A Preliminary Investigation." Journal of Fluency Disorders 27 (2002).
