Dysarthria is a speech problem caused by muscle weakness in the face, lips, tongue, and throat. The breathing muscles are also weak. It is caused by brain damage. This may be present at birth (congenital) because of disorders like cerebral palsy. Or it may be due to a stroke or other types of brain injury. A person who has dysarthria knows which words to use. But they may not be able to make the right sounds. This disorder may also cause trouble swallowing or chewing.
Signs of dysarthria
The signs of dysarthria vary with each person. A person with dysarthria may show some or all of the signs listed below.
A person with dysarthria may not be able to:
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Make certain sounds.
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Speak whole sentences clearly.
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Control their tone of voice, volume, or breaks between words.
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Realize their speech is hard to understand.
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Control their saliva.
A person with dysarthria may:
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Speak certain sounds louder than others.
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Sound harsh, jerky, breathy, irregular, or raspy during speech.
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Pause for breath in the wrong places.
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Drop or slur parts of words.
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Speak slowly or in a way that sounds hesitant or halting.
Online Medical Reviewer: Ashutosh Kacker MD
Online Medical Reviewer: Raymond Kent Turley BSN MSN RN
Online Medical Reviewer: Rita Sather RN
Date Last Reviewed: 04/01/2025
© 2000-2026 The StayWell Company, LLC. All rights reserved. This information is not intended as a substitute for professional medical care. Always follow your healthcare professional's instructions.
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