Therapy for slow, slurred or hard-to-understand speech caused by weakness in the speech muscles, often after a stroke or brain injury, or with Parkinson's disease or multiple sclerosis.
Dysarthria is a motor speech disorder caused by a weakening of the muscles responsible for producing sound, which limits a person's ability to pronounce words and speak effectively. It's typically the result of a neurological injury of varying severity — stemming from causes like brain trauma, stroke, Parkinson's disease, multiple sclerosis, muscular dystrophy, cerebral palsy, tumors, or Huntington's disease. A reaction to certain prescription medications can also bring on some cases of dysarthria, in which case a patient's physician may recommend changing or stopping that medication.
Dysarthria changes how clearly speech comes out.The classic signs of dysarthria are slow or slurred speech that makes a person difficult to understand, though the specific symptoms vary depending on the underlying cause and the type of dysarthria involved. It's worth scheduling an evaluation if you notice any of the following in yourself or someone close to you, since earlier attention generally means a better chance of improvement.
The techniques we use depend on exactly how a person's dysarthria is affecting their speech muscles, and treatment is built around the specific qualities of speech involved.
Breath support is the foundation for clearer speech.The overarching goal is always to help a patient restore their ability to speak normally and communicate effectively, though what's achievable varies with the nature and severity of each person's condition. Because no two patients are alike, we take a number of individual factors into account when building a therapy plan.
The goal is clear, confident conversation in daily life.With so many individual factors to weigh, effective dysarthria therapy has to be highly personalized. We take pride in offering that kind of individualized care, focused on restoring each patient's quality of life regardless of their age or the circumstances behind their condition.
The right tools make speech easier to understand.You can schedule by call, text, or a quick online form — we'll set up your free consultation within 24 hours.
