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Communicating with someone with dysarthria

Speech and language disorder - dysarthria care; Slurred speech - dysarthria; Articulation disorder - dysarthria

Description

Dysarthria is a condition that occurs when there are problems with the part of the brain, nerves, or muscles that help you talk. Most times, dysarthria occurs:

Use the tips below for improving communication with someone who has dysarthria.

What to Expect at Home

In a person with dysarthria, a nerve, brain, or muscle disorder makes it difficult to use or control the muscles of the mouth, tongue, larynx, or vocal cords. The muscles may be weak or completely paralyzed. Or, it may be hard for the muscles to work together.

People with dysarthria have trouble making certain sounds or words. Their speech is poorly pronounced (such as slurring), and the rhythm or speed of their speech changes.

Tips for Communicating Better

Simple changes in the way you talk with a person who has dysarthria can make a difference.

The person who has dysarthria and their family may need to learn different ways of communicating, such as:

If you do not understand the person, do not just agree with them. Ask them to speak again. Tell them what you think they said and ask them to repeat it. Ask the person to say it in a different way. Ask them to slow down so that you can make out their words.

Listen carefully and allow the person to finish. Be patient. Make eye contact with them before speaking. Give positive feedback for their effort.

Ask questions in a way that they can answer you with yes or no.

If you have dysarthria:

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References

American Speech-Language-Hearing Association website. Dysarthria. www.asha.org/public/speech/disorders/dysarthria. Accessed August 8, 2022.

Kirshner HS. Dysarthria and apraxia of speech. In: Jankovic J, Mazziotta JC, Pomeroy SL, Newman NJ, eds. Bradley and Daroff's Neurology in Clinical Practice. 8th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2022:chap 14.

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Review Date: 4/17/2022  

Reviewed By: David C. Dugdale, III, MD, Professor of Medicine, Division of General Medicine, Department of Medicine, University of Washington School of Medicine, Seattle, WA. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, Brenda Conaway, Editorial Director, and the A.D.A.M. Editorial team.

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