Motor-speech disorders are basically speech disorders that are directly linked to an individual’s motor control of muscles that are essential in speech (speech movements). Usually, this disorder affects people with damages to their neurological system. Most cases can be genetically inherited and gradually develop over time. DDSS’ clinic located in Sydney CBD offers different kinds of therapy for people with motor-speech disorders.
Kinds of Motor-Speech Disorders
Speech disorders come in different kinds and classifications. Some of it typically develops due to certain conditions like vocal cord damage, brain damage, and stroke. Others inherit the disorder from their parents as well.
The most common types of speech disorders are apraxia and dysarthria. But doctors are actually treating a wide range of motor-speech disorders.
Listed below are the most treated speech disorders according to therapists:
- Speech sound disorders. This is particularly common in children where they incorrectly pronounce certain sounds.
- Childhood apraxia of speech. This is the condition where the patient has difficulty in making a correct speech sound despite their efforts to attempt to use the correct vowels for words. They usually make groping movements as they try to pronounce words correctly.
- Receptive disorders. People with receptive disorders have difficulty understanding and comprehending information that was verbally expressed by others. This often leads to miscommunication and trouble in following directions.
- Orofacial Myofunctional disorder. Orofacial Myofunctional disorder can affect people of all ages. The reason why it takes place is because of developmental issues in the muscles of the face. Patients with this type of speech disorder often find it hard to speak, eat, breathe, and swallow properly.
- Stuttering and Pronunciation disorders. Stuttering is a motor-speech disorder where an individual has difficulty in finishing a word or sentence without making several pauses in between. Aside from this, they also have the tendency to repeat and prolong their words.
- Speech disorders linked to Autism. Autism disorders are typically concerned with speech and communication factors. People with autism are usually hard to communicate with as they have issues with regard to the correct use of words and speaking in general. Some of them even use odd voices like robotic or alien sounds.
- Dysarthria. Dysarthria is a condition that is connected to brain injuries. When a person has Dysarthria, his muscles in the mouth, lips, tongue, and jaws are significantly weak.
- Resonance speech disorder. Resonance disorder occurs when the passageway of air in the mouth and nose are blocked. The vibrations that control the quality of the voice get affected making the person speak in an abnormal manner.
- ADHD. ADHD may be a hyperactivity disorder typically diagnosed in children, but it is still somehow connected to motor-speech disorders. If you noticed, people with ADHD cannot fully control their movements, reactions, and behavior. Some of them have trouble in speech as well and need therapy to manage their condition.
Symptoms
It’s easy to determine if someone is suffering from a motor-speech disorder. However, their symptoms are not always the same, some may manifest certain signs, while others are showing different kinds of speech difficulty.
Motor-speech disorders commonly show symptoms like:
- repetitive sounds (very common on stuttering people)
- additional sounds and words
- extending words
- making odd or unusual movements with the head or hands
- abnormal blinking patterns
- feeling frustrated in trying to speak properly
- pausing from time to time
- irregular sounds when speaking
- talking with a scratchy or rough voice.
Complications
Overall, motor-speech disorders do not have an impact on physical health. But sadly, it can cause a tremendous amount of stress and pressure to an individual. Most people who are diagnosed with speech disorders are commonly suffering from anxiety disorders as well, which has a huge influence on their quality of life. To prevent anxiety disorders from developing, doctors highly suggest attending therapies and treatments.
Treatments
Doctors will need to know the following information in order to come up with the best treatment plan for your motor-speech disorder:
- age
- gender
- family history with speech disorders
- the severity of the condition
- the type of speech disorder
Speech therapy is the most common type of treatment for motor speech disorders. This will teach you to control your breathing and muscle movements. Muscle strengthening exercises are also included in the treatment to help you become more in control of your mouth and jaws.
