Dysarthria and Voice Therapy
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| Caregivers and Families Learn What to Do: to improve Dysarthriaa nd Voice |
Consumers who need speech therapy for dysarthria and voice are often confused as to whether a dysarthria also involves a voice difficulty. This blogpost will share what you should know about dysarthria and voice therapy.
What is a Dysarthria?
A dysarthria is slurred speech. It is speech that calls attention to itself. That means people often listen to how the speech is different rather than what exactly the person is saying. Often people are surprised because the talking sounds so differentIt; not normal. Why is that? It is slurred and indistinct. The speech sounds are often indistinct and not clear. The sounds are slurred, and it is often difficult to understand the person with dysarthria. In fact some authorities incorrectly believe the person may be drinking and sounds drunk!
Dysarthria sounds abnormal because it is. It often responds to speech therapy that addresses speaking speed and teaches the individual to make sure there is a slight pause between each spoken word. People with dysarthria usually respond very well to speech therapy since the timing, melody and speed have to be changed in speech therapy. The person with dysarthria needs to hear a model to imitate and then must use the model right away when speaking to others. Others like family members and loved ones must know what to do to help the person with dysarthria to improve and correct the problem.
To Be Successful the Person with Dysarthria Must Use the New Speaking at Home with Loved Ones Who Know What to Do. Speech Therapy 1-2x's a week is Usually Not Enough.
That is why family members are learning The Teaching of Talking Method for Dysarthria. There is really nothing out there that teaches caregivers what to do and how to do it and gives them video models they can follow easily.
Does the Voice in Dysarthria Need Voice Therapy
As stated above dysarthria is a speech difficulty that sounds quite different from those who have normal speaking. There are features to the voice that are different. For instance the voice typically sounds monotone, while others may sound nasal. The voice is variable in pitch and often sounds whiney as compared to someone who makes firm statements. The voice may also need correction, and the astute therapist helps give the person with dysarthria a model to mimic or imitate. The voice may need to be firmer or louder. The loudness of speaking may be related to the support of air and how much effort to force exhaled air to the voice. And a person with dysarthria may have a weak voice, but may also have a loud one that is too loud or explosive.
A Voice That Was Too Loud and Explosive
There was a gentleman who had a stroke and came to the speech pathologists office. He could be heard throughout the out-patient clinic, and people thought it was wierd to hear someone speaking so loudly. When seen by the speech pathologist the patient was immediately shown how to breathe effortlessly and decrease the force and loudness. Within just a few weeks he was speaking normally, no longer someone who was "different" or an "outcast." We receive letters from him almost every month thanking us for showing him how to decrease the breath support and loudness and how to speak effortlessly and slowly. He had been to therapist after therapist and no one could figure out what to do for him.
If You Suspect Dysarthria and or a Voice Difficulty
You can contact us and we would be happy to speak with you about how to go about improving the dysarthria. Chances are you will need some mentoring in addition to learning the methods and principles of The Teaching of Talking Method. It's rather fun, simple and interactive. But most of all speaking is almost always improved due to our over 40 years of helping those with dysarthria and voice difficulties talk better. E-Mail us today. to find out more about personal mentoring for you. Or you can click below if you wish to pusue with independent study.
