Dysarthria, (Motor Speech Disorder) A Simple Guide To The Condition, Diagnosis, Treatment And Related Conditions

Dysarthria is a motor speech disorder in which the patient finds difficulty saying words because of disorders with the muscles that assist the patient to talk.
Dysarthria occurs from impaired movement of the muscles utilized for speech production, such as the lips, tongue, vocal folds, and diaphragm.
The type and severity of dysarthria are dependent on which area of the nervous system is involved.
The muscles used for speech are managed by the brain and nervous system.
Dysarthria can form if either of these is injured in some way.
Dysarthria can either be:

1. Developmental
   It happens as a result of brain damage before or during birth, such as in cerebral palsy
2. Acquired
   It happens as the result of brain changes later in life, such as damage caused by a stroke, head injury or brain tumor, or a progressive disorder such as Parkinson's disease
   Dysarthria in children is normally developmental while dysarthria in adults is often acquired, even though both types can affect people of any age.
   Symptoms:
   A person with dysarthria may show the following speech characteristics:
3. "Slurred," "choppy," or "mumbled" speech that may be difficult to understand
4. Slow rate of speech
5. Rapid rate of speech with a "mumbling" quality
6. Limited tongue, lip, and jaw movement
7. Abnormal pitch and rhythm when speaking
8. Changes in voice quality, such as hoarse or breathless voice or speech that sounds "nasal" or "stuffy"
   Diagnosis:
   Family and friends may be required to help with the medical history.
   An intervention called laryngoscopy to see the voice box clearly may be done.
   During this procedure, a flexible viewing scope is inserted into the mouth and throat to view the voice box.
   Tests that may be done if the cause of the dysarthria is not known are:
9. Blood tests for toxins or vitamin levels
10. Imaging tests, such as an MRI or CT scan of the brain or neck
11. Nerve conduction studies and electromyogram to check the electrical function of the nerves or muscles
12. Swallowing study, which may include x-rays and drinking a special liquid
    The speech therapist may also want to evaluate the movement of the muscles in the mouth and voice box (larynx), and may wish to make a recording of the voice.
    Treatment
    The patient may need to be referred to a speech and language therapist for testing and treatment.
    Special skills the patient may learn are:
13. Safe chewing or swallowing techniques, if required
14. To avoid conversations when the patient are tired
15. To repeat sounds over and over again so the patient can learn mouth movements
16. To speak slowly, use a louder voice, and pause to make sure other people understand
17. What to do when the patient feel frustrated while speaking
    The patient can use many different devices or techniques to help with speech, such as:
18. Apps that use photos or speech
19. Computers or cell phones to type out words
20. Flip cards with words or symbols
    Surgery may help people with dysarthria.
    A speech and language therapist will work as part of a healthcare team that has people from the health, social and voluntary sector.
    The therapist will try to improve and increase the patient or the child's ability to talk.
    They will help the patient find different methods of communicating, and will help the patient and the family in adjusting to the new situation.
    They may advise:
21. Strategies to improve speech, such as slowing speech down
22. Exercises to enhance the volume or clarity of speech
23. Assistive devices, such as a simple alphabet board, an amplifier, or a computerized voice output system
    Types of Dysarthria
24. Spastic
25. Flaccid
26. Ataxic
27. Hyperkinetic and hypokinetic
28. Mixed dysarthria

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