As highlighted in our previous blog, there a variety of symptoms with Multiple Sclerosis (MS). The symptoms we are tend to focus on in therapy are speech and swallowing difficulties.
In todays blog, we are focusing on speech difficulties.
MS lesions (damaged areas) in different parts of the brain can cause changes in normal speech patterns.
Dysarthria refers to a speech disorder, caused by neuromuscular impairment, which results in disturbances in motor control of the speech mechanism.
Damage caused by multiple sclerosis may result in spasticity, weakness, slowness, and/or ataxic incoordination of the lips, tongue, mandible, soft palate, vocal cords, and diaphragm.
Therefore, articulation, speaking rate, intelligibility, and natural flow of speech in conversation are the areas most likely to be affected in those with multiple sclerosis. This can result in slurred speech.
Dysphonia, which refers to a voice disorder, often accompanies dysarthria because the same muscles, structures, and neural pathways are used for both speech and voice production.
Therefore, voice quality, nasal resonance, pitch control, loudness, and emphasis may also be affected in those with MS. This can result in quiet and/or nasal sounding speech.
Treatment
Approaches a speech and language therapist may use to improve the intelligibility of an individuals speech include the following: Improving breath support and control; reducing the rate of speech; using strategic pauses within and between words; exaggerating articulation; and actively self-monitoring/self-correcting speech.
Depending on the severity of the speech difficulty, a Speech and Language Therapist may also encourage and support the implementation of an AAC (Augmentative and alternative communication) device to support an individuals communication. See our previous blog all about AAC devices for more information.
References:
Talking to Your MS Patients (nationalmssociety.org)
MS Symptoms & Signs of MS | National Multiple Sclerosis Society (nationalmssociety.org)
