Dysarthria is a speech condition stemming from a neurological impairment in which the muscles of the mouth, face, and the respiratory system have become weak, dis-coordinated or may lack function. Dysarthria may be characterized by slurred or whispered speech, drooling or poor saliva control, chewing or swallowing difficulties and/or limited tongue, lip or jaw mobility.

Dysarthria is caused as a result of many different conditions involving the nervous system. This includes but is not limited to:
• Stroke
• Brain Injury
• Tumors
• Cerebral Palsy
• Parkinson’s Disease
• ALS
• Huntington’s Disease
• Multiple Sclerosis
• Unknown nervous system damage

Depending on the cause, type, and severity of the Dysarthria, treatment can include a wide range of oral motor strengthening exercises, stimulating oral sequencing patterns and possible provision of adaptive feeding equipment. Some assistance with cognitive reorganization of oral movement has been achieved with neuro-musculature electrical stimulation to the face, lip and surrounding areas.

Apraxia (Childhood) is a speech disorder of the nervous system that affects the ability to sequence and say sounds, syllables, and words. The problem lies in the brains ability to plan and coordinate the proper movement of the lips, jaw, and tongue.

Apraxia is also often referred to as Apraxia of Speech, Verbal Apraxia, Dysphasia, and Developmental Verbal Dyspraxia (DVD).

Signs of Childhood Apraxia of Speech

Early:
• does not coo or babble as an infant
• produces first words after some delay, sometimes missing sounds
• losing words once spoken
• feeding problems
• produces only a few consonant sounds

Older Children:
• makes inconsistent sound errors that are not the result of immaturity
• receptive language at higher level than expressive
• difficulty imitating speech
• speech is not understandable
• speech is worse when anxious

Some children with Apraxia may also have other problems. These problems can include weakness of the lips, jaw, or tongue; delayed language development; other expressive language problems; difficulties with fine motor movement; and problems with oral-sensory perception.

Oral Apraxia in Adults is typically the result of an acquired neurological impairment resulting in a dis-coordination of oral motor sequencing and patterning to produce speech or for controlling the oral structures.

Evaluation includes assessment of movement and function of the oral structures. Often involuntary movement is successful (such as chewing and swallowing) while voluntary movement is near impossible. A plan of care is established based on the severity and type of oral movement impairment demonstrated. Typically treatment involves a range of oral motor exercises conducted with visual and tactile feedback. The use of stimulating cognitive re-patterning of speech sounds for word and phrase production is also addressed during therapy.