Communicating with someone with dysarthria

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.

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:

American Speech-Language-Hearing Association website. Dysarthria. www.asha.org/public/speech/disorders/dysarthria. Accessed June 11, 2024.

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.



Review Date: 5/20/2024
Reviewed By: Jacob Berman, MD, MPH, Clinical Assistant Professor of Medicine, Division of General Internal Medicine, University of Washington School of Medicine, Seattle, WA. Also reviewed by David C. Dugdale, MD, Medical Director, Brenda Conaway, Editorial Director, and the A.D.A.M. Editorial team.
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