Difference between dysarthria and apraxia of speech | Dysarthria & Speech Therapy

Speechclicks platform of gadget, therapies, therapists for speech disorders, dysphagia, apraxia, dysarthria & speech impediments with Parkinson's disease.

Difference between dysarthria and apraxia of speech | Dysarthria & Speech Therapy

Dysarthria and apraxia of speech are two speech disorders that can impact an individual's ability to communicate effectively. Although both conditions involve difficulties with speech production, there are significant differences between the two. In this article, we will discuss the key differences between dysarthria and apraxia of speech.

What is Dysarthria?

Dysarthria is a motor speech disorder that occurs due to damage or dysfunction of the nervous system. This damage can occur anywhere along the pathway that controls speech production, including the brain, nerves, and muscles. Dysarthria can be caused by a range of conditions, such as stroke, brain injury, Parkinson's disease, multiple sclerosis, or amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS).

People with dysarthria often have problems with the strength, coordination, and control of the muscles used in speech production. As a result, their speech may be slurred, slow, or difficult to understand.

Other common symptoms of dysarthria include:

Breathiness or hoarseness

Difficulty controlling the volume of speech

Drooling or difficulty swallowing

Limited range of facial expressions

Lack of pitch variation in speech

There are several types of dysarthria, each of which has its unique characteristics. For example, spastic dysarthria is characterized by increased muscle tone and stiffness, while ataxic dysarthria is characterized by poor muscle coordination and balance. Mixed dysarthria involves a combination of different types of dysarthria.

What is Apraxia of Speech?

Apraxia of speech, also known as verbal apraxia, is a motor speech disorder that affects the ability to plan and coordinate the movements required for speech. Unlike dysarthria, which is caused by damage to the muscles or nerves involved in speech production, apraxia of speech is caused by damage to the brain's language centers.

People with apraxia of speech often struggle to articulate words and phrases correctly, even though they may be able to understand language and have no problems with the muscles involved in speech production. They may have difficulty with:

Pronouncing words correctly

Using the correct rhythm and intonation in speech

Initiating speech or producing certain sounds

Repeating words or phrases

Using the correct stress in multisyllabic words

In some cases, people with apraxia of speech may be able to produce single words with relative ease but have difficulty with longer phrases or sentences. This is known as apraxia of speech with limited language output.

Differences Between Dysarthria and Apraxia of Speech

Although both dysarthria and apraxia of speech are speech disorders that can impact communication, there are several key differences between the two. These include:

Underlying Cause: Dysarthria is caused by damage or dysfunction to the nerves, muscles, or brain areas involved in speech production, while apraxia of speech is caused by damage to the brain's language centers.

Symptoms: People with dysarthria often have slurred, slow, or difficult-to-understand speech, while people with apraxia of speech struggle with planning and coordinating the movements required for speech.

Muscle Control: Dysarthria affects the strength, coordination, and control of the muscles used in speech production, while apraxia of speech does not.

Diagnosis: Dysarthria is diagnosed through a physical examination, medical history, and speech assessment, while apraxia of speech is diagnosed through a specialized speech assessment.

Treatment: Treatment for dysarthria typically involves speech therapy and may involve medications or surgery, depending on the underlying cause. Treatment for apraxia of speech also involves speech therapy, but may also involve other forms of therapy, such as occupational therapy or music therapy.

Conclusion

Dysarthria and apraxia of speech are two distinct speech disorders that can have a significant impact on an individual's ability to communicate effectively. Dysarthria is caused by damage or dysfunction to the nerves, muscles, or brain areas involved in speech production, while apraxia of speech is caused by damage to the brain's language centers. While people with dysarthria struggle with the strength, coordination, and control of the muscles used in speech production, people with apraxia of speech struggle with planning and coordinating the movements required for speech. Diagnosis and treatment for each condition also differ. By understanding the differences between dysarthria and apraxia of speech, individuals with these conditions, as well as their caregivers and healthcare providers, can develop appropriate treatment plans to improve communication abilities and overall quality of life.

 

 

Tags: - gadgets, therapies, speech therapists, therapies, apraxia, dysarthria, dysphagia, stroke, speech impediments, speech therapy, Parkinson's disease