Dysarthria by

What is a Dysarthria?

Laci_W — 2023-12-02 16:10:45 UTC

Dysarthria is a condition where a person may have slurred speech and difficulty speaking due to weak muscles or damaged nerves in the diaphragm, lips, tongue, or vocal cords. It may begin developing in the womb or shortly after birth, can be caused by other conditions such as cerebral palsy or muscular dystrophy, or can be found in adults after a stroke, tumors, or MS.

Characteristics

Laci_W — 2023-12-02 16:19:50 UTC

Dysarthria has a wide range of symptoms, from slurred or slow speech to rapid, incohesive speech. People with dysarthria may be monotone. They may struggle with speaking too quietly or loudly, and even may speak with uneven cadence and volume. All of this comes from the inability to move the tongue and facial muscles.

Causes

Laci_W — 2023-12-02 16:33:06 UTC

A person with dysarthria may be suffering from damage to the nerves or muscles in one's face and/or throat. Those damages may stem from injuries, illnesses or neuromuscular conditions. Illnesses like MS, Parkinson's, Dementia, Lyme disease, ALS, or a stroke may cause dysarthria later on in life. Some medications may cause symptoms of dysarthria as well.

Treatment and Implementation in the Classroom

Laci_W — 2023-12-02 16:51:44 UTC

Dysarthria is not a curable condition, but it can be treated to better help the person retain their speech. Speech-language pathologists and physicians work in tandem to assess and execute treatment for the person with dysarthria. Treatment can come from rehabilitating the muscles in the face, using effective communication strategies, and possibly even surgery. The most important part of working with a student with dysarthria is making sure you have an effective communication method with them. Do not single them out and speak to them like they can't hear you. The student's disability does not prevent them from hearing you, speak to them like any other student. It's frustrating to not be able to get a point you're trying to make understood, so being patient is also key as you may have trouble in the beginning trying to understand them. A student with this disability would help other students learn good and effective communication methods with not only the student but each other. This would also teach them empathy and kindness.

A video summary

Laci_W — 2023-12-02 16:56:08 UTC