After a stroke, some survivors find that their speech changes in a way that is different from simply losing words. They know exactly what they want to say. The words are there. But when they open their mouth, the sounds come out slurred, too quiet, too slow, or simply hard to understand.
If this describes your loved one, the condition is likely called dysarthria — and it is one of the most treatable consequences of stroke with the right rehabilitation approach.
Dysarthria is a motor speech disorder caused by weakness, paralysis, or poor coordination of the muscles used for speech. These muscles include those of the lips, tongue, jaw, soft palate, and the muscles that control breathing and vocal cord function.
When a stroke damages the parts of the brain that control these muscles, the result is speech that sounds different — not because the person has lost language, but because the physical machinery of speech has been affected.
The key distinction: A person with dysarthria knows what they want to say and can usually think clearly. The breakdown is in the physical production of speech — not in language itself.
Dysarthria presents differently depending on which area of the brain was affected and the severity of the stroke. Families commonly describe their loved one's speech as:
Some people with dysarthria experience a combination of these features. In severe cases, speech may be completely unintelligible.
No — and understanding the difference is important because the treatments are different.
Aphasia is a language disorder — the person struggles to find words, form sentences, or understand spoken language. The problem is with the language system in the brain.
Dysarthria is a motor speech disorder — the person's language is intact but the physical ability to produce clear speech sounds is impaired. The problem is with the muscles and the brain pathways that control them.
It is possible — and quite common after stroke — to have both aphasia and dysarthria simultaneously. This is why a proper clinical assessment is essential before starting therapy.
There are several types of dysarthria, each associated with different neurological patterns:
The most common type after stroke. Caused by damage to upper motor neurones. Speech sounds strained or strangled, with a harsh voice quality and imprecise consonant production.
Caused by damage to lower motor neurones. Speech is breathy, weak, and hypernasaul. The person may have difficulty sustaining speech for more than a few words before running out of breath.
Many stroke survivors present with a mixed type — combining features of two or more categories depending on which areas of the brain were damaged.
Dysarthria rehabilitation is structured, progressive, and — with consistency — highly effective. Treatment at LiveFulfilled Psychological Services targets the specific muscles and processes affected:
Targeted exercises to strengthen and improve the coordination of the lips, tongue, jaw, and soft palate. These are prescribed specifically for each client based on which muscles are most affected — not a generic set of exercises.
Many people with dysarthria speak too softly because they lack adequate breath support. Breath control exercises help them sustain speech at an appropriate volume and for longer stretches.
Learning to speak at a controlled pace improves intelligibility significantly. Some clients benefit from pacing boards or rhythmic techniques to slow and organise their speech output.
Specific practice of the sounds and sound combinations most affected, using cueing hierarchies to progressively improve clarity from isolated sounds to words to sentences.
For clients with quiet or strained voice quality, vocal exercises and techniques to improve resonance, loudness, and vocal variety.
"Within eight sessions, his speech went from completely unintelligible to being understood by the whole family. We had almost given up hope." — Family member, LiveFulfilled client
Family involvement is one of the most powerful drivers of progress in dysarthria rehabilitation. Between formal therapy sessions, families can support recovery by:
As early as possible after stroke. The nervous system's capacity for reorganisation is greatest in the weeks and months immediately following the event. However, people make meaningful gains at any stage — we regularly work with clients who are one or two years post-stroke and still progressing.
We offer specialist dysarthria assessment and rehabilitation in Owerri and virtually nationwide. Begin with a full consultation and personalised therapy plan.
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