dysarthria
Muscle-based speech impairment
Dysarthria is a speech disorder caused by weakness or poor control of the muscles used for speaking—the tongue, lips, vocal cords, or diaphragm.
The result is slurred, slow, or difficult-to-understand speech, though the person's language comprehension remains intact.
It commonly results from stroke, brain injury, or neurological conditions like Parkinson's disease or multiple sclerosis.
Indistinct verbal articulation
- articulationClear vocal expression
- speech impairmentDifficulty with verbal articulation
- phonationVocal fold vibration
- resonanceAmplified oscillation at natural frequency
prosody · intonation · fluency · intelligibility · brainstem · neuromuscular · Parkinson's · ALS
Indistinct, blurred speech
- mumblingIndistinct, quiet speech
- monotoneSingle unvarying pitch
- hypernasalityExcessive nasal voice quality
- breathinessAudible air in voice
hoarseness · slow speech · rapid speech · weak voice · strained voice · irregular rhythm · drooling · fatigue
Of involuntary muscle contractions
- flaccidSoft, lacking firmness
- ataxicHaving impaired coordination
- hyperkineticAbnormally excessive movement
- mixedBlended from varied elements
Treatment for communication disorders
- assessmentFormal evaluation of worth
- diagnosisIdentification of illness
- treatmentCare for an ailment
- rehabilitationRecovery from injury/addiction
voice amplifier · alphabet board · muscle strengthening · prognosis
slurred speech
Indistinct verbal articulation
- articulationClear vocal expression
- speech impairmentDifficulty with verbal articulation
- phonationVocal fold vibration
resonance · prosody · intonation · fluency · intelligibility · brainstem · neuromuscular · Parkinson's · ALS · multiple sclerosis
slurring
Indistinct, blurred speech
- mumblingIndistinct, quiet speech
- monotoneSingle unvarying pitch
- hypernasalityExcessive nasal voice quality
breathiness · hoarseness · slow speech · rapid speech · weak voice · strained voice · irregular rhythm · drooling · fatigue
spastic
Of involuntary muscle contractions
- flaccidSoft, lacking firmness
- ataxicHaving impaired coordination
- hyperkineticAbnormally excessive movement
speech therapy
Treatment for communication disorders
- assessmentFormal evaluation of worth
- diagnosisIdentification of illness
- treatmentCare for an ailment
rehabilitation · voice amplifier · alphabet board · muscle strengthening · prognosis
dysarthriaaphasia
Neurological language impairment
mutism · stuttering · anomia · cluttering · dysphonia