If you have dysarthria, verbal communication can be a challenge. Even though you’re able to speak, your words might come out slurred or difficult to understand due to muscle weakness or paralysis. Dysarthria can occur at the same time as aphasia following a stroke, or it can occur on its own. Many people also experience dysarthria as the result of a condition such as Parkinson’s Disease or Multiple Sclerosis.
People with mild dysarthria can often make improvements to their speech through techniques like speaking slowly and increasing speech volume. However, people with more severe dysarthria might still struggle to be understood, even after using speech techniques. In these cases, an augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) device can help. When there is a gap between what you want to communicate and what you are able to communicate, an AAC device might be the answer.