Types of Dysarthria

What Is Dysarthria?

Dysarthria is a motor speech disorder that happens when the muscles used for speaking are weak or hard to control. This can lead to slurred, slow, or unclear speech. It’s usually caused by neurological conditions such as stroke, brain injury, Parkinson’s disease, ALS, or cerebral palsy.

But did you know that there are different types of dysarthria, each with unique symptoms? Let’s break them down in a simple and easy-to-understand way.

1. Spastic Dysarthria

Cause: Damage to the upper motor neurons (brain pathways that help control movement).
Symptoms:

• Stiff, tight muscles

• Slow and effortful speech

• Harsh or strained voice

• Low pitch
  Example: Often seen after a stroke or in conditions like cerebral palsy.

2. Flaccid Dysarthria

Cause: Damage to the lower motor neurons (nerves that directly connect to the muscles).
Symptoms:

• Weak, soft muscle tone

• Nasal-sounding speech

• Breathy voice

• Drooping of facial muscles
  Example: Common in conditions like Bell’s palsy or muscular dystrophy.

3. Ataxic Dysarthria

Cause: Damage to the cerebellum (area of the brain that controls coordination).
Symptoms:

• Jerky, uncoordinated speech

• Irregular rhythm and pitch

• Slurred or “drunken” speech
  Example: Often seen in cerebellar strokes or multiple sclerosis (MS).

4. Hypokinetic Dysarthria

Cause: Often linked to basal ganglia damage, commonly in Parkinson’s disease.
Symptoms:

• Low volume

• Monotone voice

• Short rushes of speech

• Reduced facial expression
  Example: Parkinson’s patients may struggle to project their voice clearly.

5. Hyperkinetic Dysarthria

Cause: Involuntary movements affecting speech muscles (linked to basal ganglia).
Symptoms:

• Sudden voice changes

• Irregular speech patterns

• Harsh or strained voice
  Example: Seen in Huntington’s disease or Tourette’s syndrome.

6. Mixed Dysarthria

Cause: Combination of two or more types of dysarthria due to widespread brain damage.
Symptoms:
Vary depending on the types involved.
Example: ALS patients may show both spastic and flaccid features.

Why Identifying the Type Matters

Understanding the specific type of dysarthria is crucial for personalized therapy. Speech-language pathologists (SLPs) design different treatment plans depending on:

• The muscles affected

• The person’s communication needs

• The severity of the condition

How Therapy Can Help

At TelloMeet, we offer personalized online speech therapy designed to address each type of dysarthria. Whether you’re recovering from a stroke or managing a chronic condition like Parkinson’s, our therapists can help improve:

• Speech clarity

• Breath control

• Muscle coordination

• Confidence in communication

Final Thoughts

Every type of dysarthria presents differently, but with the right support and consistent therapy, speech and quality of life can significantly improve. Early diagnosis and professional intervention are key.

🔗 Book a free consultation with a speech-language pathologist today on TelloMeet!