Vol-8 Issue-3 2022 IJARIIE-ISSN(O)-2395-4396 16622 www.ijariie.com 667 ANALYSIS OF VOICE IN CHILDREN AMONG ASD & ADHD -A COMPARATIVE CASE STUDY Rajeev Ranjan 1 , Tabinda Naqvi 2 , Priya Mishra 3 , Swetlana Singh Gaur 4 1 Assistant Professor (Sp & Hg), Composite Regional Centre for Skill Development, Rehabilitation & Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities (CRC), Lucknow, UP, India. Email: rajnav11@hotmail.com 2,3,4 4 th Year BASLP Internship Student, Dr Shakuntala Misra National Rehabilitation University, Lucknow, UP, India. Email: tabindanaqvi5@gmail.com ABSTRACT The study aims at analyzing and comparing voice parameters like fundamental frequency, jitter %, shimmer % and Harmonic to Noise Ratio (HNR) in children with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) and Attention Deficit Hyperactive Disorder (ADHD). Two male children with ASD and ADHD of ages 7 and 4.5 years respectively were selected. Dr. Speech software was used to record and analyse the voice by the experienced Speech & Language Therapist in Speech and Hearing unit at Composite Regional Centre for PwDs, Lucknow, UP, India. Recording was done by using a professional microphone placed at a 90° angle from the mouth and keeping a 5cm distance for the utterance of vowel /a/. Recorded sample was analyzed and it was observed that, the fundamental frequency was higher in ASD subject than ADHD subject. The jitter and shimmer % and HNR value was higher in ADHD subject than ASD subject. Voice quality of ASD subject was moderately affected and of ADHD subject was severely affected. The result of the study may be used for modification of voice during therapy for children with ASD and ADHD. And it can be reference for the therapist, teachers and other allied professionals. Key Words- ASD, ADHD, Dr Speech, Voice, Children, Analysis. INTRODUCTION Normal human voice may be characterized by five aspects, each related to function. First, the voice must be loud enough to be heard. Second, the voice must be produced in a manner that is hygienic and safe, that is, without vocal trauma and resulting laryngeal lesions. Third, the voice should have a pleasant quality. Fourth, the normal voice should be flexible enough to accurately express emotions. Last, the voice should represent the speaker well in terms of age and gender.[1] Voice in Children with ASD: Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is a neurodevelopmental disorder in which characteristics mainly seen is deficits in social communication and social interaction and presence of restricted and repetitive behavior.[2] The voice of many ASD (Autism Spectrum Disorder) children appears abnormal and often appears machine-like, “monotonic,” or “sing-song.” These voice and speech abnormalities were noted in early descriptions of ASD.[3] But their exact characteristics and the underlying mechanisms, as well as their consistency and diagnostic power are currently unclear.[4] Voice in Children with ADHD: Attention deficit Hyperactive Disorder (ADHD) is a brain disorder that is lifelong. In this disorder it is hard for a person to pay attention. Some people with ADHD have trouble sitting still or controlling their behavior.[2] More hoarseness, breathiness, and straining in voice was seen in children with ADHD.