26/06/2025
✅ What Are Motor Speech Disorders?
Motor Speech Disorders (MSDs) refer to difficulties in speaking due to problems with the nerves and muscles that produce speech. It’s not a problem with thinking or understanding language — it’s a problem with the physical act of talking.
There are two major types:
🔹 Apraxia of Speech (AOS) – a problem with planning how to move the mouth.
🔹 Dysarthria – a problem with executing or carrying out those movements.
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🗣️ 1. Apraxia of Speech (AOS)
Imagine trying to dial a number on a phone, but your fingers don’t follow the command — that’s what apraxia feels like for speech. The brain knows what it wants to say, but can’t properly send the message to the muscles of the mouth.
👶 A. Childhood Apraxia of Speech (CAS)
This condition begins in early childhood and continues unless treated. It’s not just late talking — it’s a neurological motor speech disorder that affects the accuracy and consistency of speech movements.
🚨 Signs of CAS:
• Difficulty imitating sounds and words
• Saying the same word differently each time
• Groping movements with the lips or tongue
• Better understanding than speaking
• Difficulty with longer or complex words
💡 Therapy Tips:
• Frequent, repetitive practice with a speech therapist
• Use of visual and tactile cues (e.g., hand signs, mirrors)
• Slower speech to help coordination
• In severe cases, AAC (Augmentative and Alternative Communication) tools may be used
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🧓 B. Acquired Apraxia of Speech (AOS in adults)
This occurs due to stroke, brain injury, or degenerative conditions. The person could speak clearly before, but after brain damage, they have difficulty initiating or producing speech.
🧠 Common Causes:
• Stroke
• Traumatic brain injury (TBI)
• Brain tumors
• Progressive neurological diseases (rarely)
🗣️ Characteristics:
• Halting, effortful speech
• Difficulty pronouncing longer or complex words
• Aware of speech errors, attempts to fix them
• Often coexists with aphasia (language impairment)
🛠️ Treatment:
• Repetitive, structured speech tasks
• Using singing or rhythmic tapping (Melodic Intonation Therapy)
• Visual/verbal prompts to guide movement
• Communication boards or apps for support
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🧠 2. Dysarthria
Dysarthria is different from apraxia. In dysarthria, the brain’s message reaches the muscles, but the muscles themselves are weak, slow, or uncoordinated due to damage.
🔬 Causes of Dysarthria:
• Cerebral palsy (in children)
• Stroke or brain injury
• Parkinson’s disease
• Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS)
• Muscular dystrophy
• Multiple sclerosis (MS)
🔍 Signs of Dysarthria:
• Slurred or mumbled speech
• Speaking too slowly or too fast
• Low volume or monotone speech
• Difficulty controlling pitch or loudness
• Drooling or facial weakness
• Trouble chewing or swallowing
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🧩 Types of Dysarthria
Type Cause Symptoms
Flaccid Damage to lower motor neurons Breathiness, nasal voice, weak articulation
Spastic Damage to upper motor neurons Harsh, strained voice, slow speech
Ataxic Cerebellar damage “Drunken” speech, imprecise articulation
Hypokinetic Basal ganglia (e.g., Parkinson’s) Monotone, fast, short rushes of speech
Hyperkinetic Involuntary movements (e.g., Huntington’s) Jerky, variable voice
Mixed Multiple causes (e.g., ALS) Combination of above symptoms
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🛠️ How Are Motor Speech Disorders Diagnosed?
Diagnosis is done by a Speech-Language Pathologist (SLP). It includes:
🔎 Oral-motor exam – checks strength and coordination of tongue, lips, and jaw
🔊 Speech sample – observes pronunciation, rhythm, and clarity
🧠 Neurological history – stroke, CP, injury, or genetic disorders
📊 Standardized tests – such as the Kaufman Speech Praxis Test (for children)
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🎯 Treatment Approaches
There is no one-size-fits-all therapy. Each child or adult may need a unique treatment plan. The goal is always to make speech clearer, stronger, and more confident.
🧒 For Children:
• Play-based articulation drills
• Visual feedback (mirrors, apps)
• AAC devices (like picture boards or speech-generating devices)
• Parental involvement in home practice
👨🦳 For Adults:
• Strengthening exercises for lips, jaw, and tongue
• Speaking slowly and clearly using pacing techniques
• Breath control for louder speech
• Technology-assisted speech tools
• Counseling for confidence and anxiety related to speech
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🧬 When MSDs Are Part of Larger Conditions
Motor speech disorders often don’t come alone — they may be part of other conditions like:
• Autism Spectrum Disorder
• Down Syndrome
• Cerebral Palsy
• Hearing Loss
• Aphasia
• Intellectual Disabilities
In such cases, the SLP works closely with occupational therapists, neurologists, psychologists, and educators for a team approach.
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📸 Visual Guide
Here are a few image suggestions to accompany your social media post:
1. 🧠 Brain regions controlling speech (frontal lobe, Broca’s area)
2. 👅 Speech anatomy – tongue, lips, jaw movement diagrams
3. 🗂️ Comparison chart: Apraxia vs Dysarthria
4. 📊 Therapy tools and AAC devices (speech apps, picture boards)
🤝 How Can You Help?
💡 If you’re a parent, teacher, or caregiver — know that early identification and intervention can make a world of difference. Don’t wait for a child to “catch up.” If something feels off — act early!
👩⚕️ Speech Therapists are trained to evaluate and support every stage of speech development.
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📍 At Gyanti Child Development Center
We specialize in diagnosing and treating all types of motor speech disorders — from early childhood to adulthood. With a multidisciplinary team and child-friendly environment, we ensure every individual gets the personalized care they deserve.
📞 Call: +91 9128805585
📍 Address: F-118, Beta-2, Greater Noida – 201308
📧 Email: gyantichilddevelopmentcenter@gmail.com
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💬 Final Thought
Motor Speech Disorders may affect the way someone speaks, but they don’t define who they are. With the right guidance and therapy, individuals can unlock their voice, build confidence, and thrive in every part of life.
💖 Speak up. Speak out. Because every voice matters
