Motor Speech Disorders

What are Motor Speech Disorders?

Brain damage may also cause a motor speech disorder, known as Apraxia of Speech or Dysarthria.

-Apraxia of Speech:  Apraxia of Speech is a motor speech disorder impacting the brain’s ability to plan and sequence speech. Individuals may have trouble sequencing syllables, sounds, and words. Errors in speech are often inconsistent.

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-Dysarthria: Dysarthria is a motor speech disorder impacting the muscles of the face, mouth, and respiratory system. Individuals may have changes to their speech intelligibility, volume, and vocal quality. Common signs of dysarthria include but are not limited to slurred speech, reduced loudness, slow or rapid rate of speech, drooling, breathiness, or hoarseness.

Depending on the severity of apraxia of speech or dysarthria, it may impact one’s ability to communicate effectively by speaking. Personalized speech-language therapy services can work with individuals with motor speech disorders to improve the efficiency, effectiveness, and naturalness of communication and explore the use of Augmentative and Alternative Communication supports as appropriate.