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Sunday, July 23, 2017

Dysarthria Speech Therapy Methods for Better Speaking

Dysarthria Speech Therapy Methods for Better Speaking
Dysarthria Speech Therapy Methods for Better Speaking
Dysarthria Speech Therapy Methods
There are family members and loved ones of those with dysarthria who have no clue  what to do to help their loved ones speak better, other than to remind them over and over again, to just "Slow Down."  There are definite dysarthria speech therapy methods for better speaking!
Many loved ones of those with dysarthria don't know dysarthria speech therapy methods for better speaking even after having dysarthria speech therapy for 23 years by multiple therapists.    
It's rather simple, really, and for some reason many with dysarthria are quickly put on a computer program, or worksheets when in reality they need a person who they can repeat after; one who speaks very slowly and clearly.  
Dysarthria Speech Therapy Methods for Better Speaking
A family has a son who was in a severe motor vehicle accident 23 years ago.  His speech is 20% understandable; everyone always asks him to repeat himself, which causes anger and frustration from all concerned.  He has been to dysarthria therapy and therapist after therapist 
They do not know what to do for their son other than to find a therapist.  After 23 years of dysarthria therapy, they know virtually nothing regarding what they can do to help him speak better.
Dysarthria Speech Therapy Methods for Better Speaking
Within 10 minutes of visiting with this gentleman we were having him speak with 90% clarity by providing him with a proper speech model to mimic.  His mother and Father were immediately enrolled in therapy too!  Do you want to know why?
A speech model is a person who talks very slowly to the person with dysarthria.  He or she also asks questions in such a way to trigger an answer that is also slow with pasuses between each spoken word.  We must talk and ask questions at the exact speed and pause between each spoken word.  
Family members of those with dysarthria learn speech therapy methods to help them decrease the speed of their talking.  Those methods improve talking.  It's not rocket science.  
We speak like those we are around.  If one with dysarthria communicates with those who speak at rapid speed, they will speak that way and unfortunately will not be understood.   If we can find someone at home to speak very slowly and deliberately it will help the person with dysarthria speak that way.  
There are no magic "programs, or devices" that will help those with dysarthria.  They must be required to speak in a very slow and deliberate manner, following the techniques taught.  
Parents, caregivers and loved ones are learning dysarthria speeech therapy methods for better speaking and using them at home.  There are no short cuts, and the myth that so many people believe is, that going to speech therapy a couple times a week will help the person with dysarthria speak better.  I don't think so. 
We help loved ones of those with Dysarthria learn ways to help their loved one speak better at home.  You can get started helping your loved one speak better now.