Dysarthria is a motor‑speech disorder that causes speech to sound unclear or slurred. It occurs when the muscles involved in speaking (including the lips, tongue, soft palate, larynx, and breathing system), become weak, slow, or poorly coordinated due to damage within the nervous system.
There are several forms of dysarthria, each linked to the specific area of the brain or neural pathways affected.
- Unilateral dysarthria involves weakness on one side of the face or tongue.
- Spastic dysarthria is characterised by tight, stiff muscle movements.
- Flaccid dysarthria presents with soft, weak muscle tone.
- Ataxic dysarthria leads to unsteady, poorly timed movements.
- Hyperkinetic dysarthria results in involuntary movements which disrupt speech.
- Hypokinetic dysarthria is associated with reduced movement and difficulty initiating speech.
Many people experience a mixed dysarthria, combining features of more than one type.
The impact can vary widely. For some, dysarthria is a mild speech change; for others, it can significantly affect how easily they can be understood, influencing confidence, social interaction, and daily communication.
How to Help Someone with Dysarthria
- Encourage them to speak slowly and take frequent pauses.
- Reduce background noise and face them directly.
- Ask for clarification politely if you don’t understand.
- Offer communication aids (writing, apps, gestures) when needed.
- Give them time, rushing increases speech difficulty.
- Refer to a Speech Language Therapist (SLT).