Tis the Season for Social Gatherings: Strategies to Improve Communicative Effectiveness in Individuals with Dysarthria

With all the hustle and bustle of the holiday season, it can be difficult to understand others or communicate our thoughts given the background noise, and busy environments. Especially for individuals with a communication disorder, such as dysarthria, the holidays can be a stressful time to participate in social gatherings. With simple and effective strategies for both the speaker and listener, the success of conversations can be improved greatly. 

What is Dysarthria?

Dysarthria is a motor speech disorder that causes weakness, slurring, and reduced coordination of the muscles required for speech. Dysarthria is caused by damage to the brain or nerves, and can result from things including strokes, brain injuries, and neurological conditions (ALS, Cerebral Palsy, Parkinson’s Disease). There are several types of dysarthria, causing varying symptoms, but overall affecting the strength, speed, loudness, and coordination of oral muscles. Speech Language Pathologists can provide treatment to individuals with dysarthria with treatment focusing on strategies that can be implemented to improve strength, coordination, speed, breath support, and loudness for speech. 

Communication Strategies for the Speaker 

Adjusting Speed, Clarity & Rhythm

Small changes, such as slowing down the rate of speech, can go a long way in improving a message. When we speak too fast, it can lead to words being jumbled together and cause breakdowns in a conversation. Slowing down can reduce the likelihood that words will blend together. Pacing refers to the idea of tapping out each syllable or each word to keep a steady, and clear rhythm going in speech. Especially with longer words or sentences, this can be an effective way to monitor your speech. Over-articulation refers to placing extra emphasis on each individual syllable or word. This can be achieved by using bigger movements of our tongue, teeth, lips, and jaw. 

Improving Breath Support & Loudness

Breathing and speech go hand-in-hand with one another. The lungs and diaphragm provide us with the air we need to vibrate our voice. When we speak, we want to begin speech at the top of our inhale. This way, we are able to continue speaking throughout the exhale. Dysarthria can cause impaired coordination between respiration and phonation leading to individuals running out of air quickly, reduced volume, difficulty speaking for a long period of time, or fatigue. To improve this coordination, it is important to implement pauses as needed during speech to avoid speaking on residual air. Other strategies include diaphragmatic, or belly breathing, which involves breathing in through your nose and out through your mouth focusing on expanding and contracting your belly. By improving breath support, loudness can also improve because we have more strength and power to produce a loud voice when we have steady breathing. 

Environmental Modifications

During holiday parties or family gatherings, there can be a lot of background noise or

distractions impacting the success of conversations. To overcome this challenge, there are many modifications that can be made. First, ensure you are facing your communication partner face to face. Second, try to reduce any possible distractions including the TV, radio, or move to a quieter space to have a conversation. Third, use additional modalities to support getting your message across including gestures, writing, typing, etc. if needed. Fourth, you can provide your communication partner with a word, or short phrase on the conversation topic as context prior to speaking in longer sentences.  

Education & Self-Advocacy 

When communicating with familiar or unfamiliar people, education can be provided to others regarding dysarthria, and how it affects speech. Education can also be provided on which strategies work best for you to improve communication. By providing education to others, you are self-advocating for yourself and your needs to be a successful communicator. Additionally, you can request that they let you get your message out without interruptions, or explain what works for you if breakdowns occur. 

Communication Strategies for the Listener 

Environmental Modifications 

Consistent with strategies for the speaker, listeners can also modify the environment for maximum success including facing your communication partner, moving to a quieter space, reducing distractions, and using alternate ways to communicate.

Active Listening & Advocacy 

Pay attention to what your communication partner is saying. If you misunderstand a message, ask them to repeat, rephrase, or clarify what they said. Similarly, ask follow up questions or request additional information if you are having trouble following. Try to avoid “pretending to understand” as this leads to further breakdowns, and disconnection. 

This holiday season, allow yourself the opportunity to participate in conversations with use of communication strategies.  If you or a loved one is experiencing challenges with communication, please reach out to us at Insight Speech and Swallowing Therapy in Cherry Hill, New Jersey. We are happy to help improve participation, confidence, and success in conversations and social interactions.

Happy Holidays from the team at Insight Speech and Swallowing Therapy!

Phone: 856-200-8392

Website: www.insightspeechandswallowing.com