Dysarthria is a speech disorder caused by muscle weakness in the face, lips, tongue, throat, and breathing muscles. It happens when the part of the brain that controls speech production is damaged, and the muscles needed to make certain sounds can’t be used fully. This can cause problems with how you pronounce words, your tone, how slowly or quickly you speak, and other issues. A speech therapist can find out how dysarthria is affecting your speech. Then they can advise specific rehab that focuses on improving those speech problems.
Assessing your speech function
Before rehab starts, the therapist will ask you to try a few simple tests. These can help find out what you're having trouble with and plan your treatment. During these tests, the therapist looks at muscle strength, accuracy, and motion on both sides of your face.
You may be asked to repeat words and syllables in a pattern as quickly as you can. The therapist may have you make vowel sounds such as "ah" and hold it. They may have you read out loud. As you speak, the therapist listens for lost vowel sounds, breathing patterns, and slowed or slurred speech.
Regaining voice control
Clearer, smoother speech is a common rehab goal. The speech therapist works to help you regain speech that is clearer and easier for others to understand. They will teach you how to control and strengthen muscles in your face and mouth. They may ask you to:
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Practice pronouncing sounds in words more clearly and smoothly.
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Focus on saying one word at a time correctly instead of trying to speak a whole sentence at once.
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Use strategies to slow down your rate of speech.
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Control your breathing during speech.
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Strengthen and improve your range of movement with the muscles of your face, mouth, and respiratory system.
Tips for communication
Like any skill, speech gets better with practice. Try these tips:
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Practice the strategies and activities your speech therapist gives you.
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Speak slowly and pause often. This gives you time to make all the sounds that form each word.
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Repeat a word if you have trouble with it.
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Try not to let others speak for you. Have other means of communication available, such as a tablet or a pen and paper.
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Reduce background noise.
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