Dysarthria

 

Activity answers:

• You can hear that:
  • The words are pronounced more slowly (decreased rate) due to muscle weakness
  • The vowels are prolonged
  • The patient is running out of breath as it takes so long to speak each phrase, so they need increased breath/respiratory support 
  • There is less intonation in the speech; the voice therefore sounds monotone which adds to the unintelligibility
  • The speech is quieter (decreased volume) due to poor respiratory support

• The patient would find it difficult to engage in conversation, for example in a shop or on the phone

• They would not be able to interrupt the flow of others talking and would gradually become more withdrawn and socially isolated

• This patient is only mildly dysarthric – imagine what it would be like to have moderate or severe dysarthria