What Is Dysarthria?
Dysarthria is a motor speech disorder. It happens when the muscles used for speaking – such as the lips, tongue, or vocal cords – are weakened or hard to control. This can make someone’s speech sound slurred, quiet, slow, or difficult to understand.
The cause is neurological, often linked to conditions such as stroke, Parkinson’s disease, Motor Neurone Disease (MND/ALS), brain injury, or cerebral palsy. It’s important to know that dysarthria only affects the physical act of speaking – not a person’s intelligence, understanding, or emotions.
Why Does Awareness Matter?
Many people with dysarthria feel misunderstood. Because their speech sounds different, they are sometimes unfairly assumed to be confused or even intoxicated. But in reality, they know exactly what they want to say—they just need more time, support, and patience to say it.
Raising awareness helps ensure that people with dysarthria feel included, respected, and connected. That’s why Dysarthria Awareness Day exists: to make sure every voice is valued.
How Can I Support Someone with Dysarthria?
Whether you’re a carer, family member, friend, or simply someone who wants to be more inclusive, here are some ways you can make communication easier:
- Give plenty of time – don’t rush or interrupt
- Reduce background noise – create a calm space to chat
- Be honest – if you don’t understand, repeat back what you did catch
- Use other tools – writing, gestures, or communication devices can help
- Be patient and kind – your attitude makes all the difference
Sometimes it’s the smallest changes that have the biggest impact.
What Does Therapy Involve?
Speech and Language Therapy (SLT) can help people with dysarthria regain control of how they communicate. It’s about more than just pronunciation. Therapists work with individuals to build confidence, explore helpful tools (like writing or tech), and create supportive communication environments. Families and carers are also key partners in this process.
A Thank You
We’d like to thank Liviya, one of our Care Team members, for highlighting Dysarthria Awareness Day to us. It’s thanks to compassionate and observant staff like Liviya that we’re able to learn, grow, and stand beside the people we support in meaningful ways.
Want to Learn More?
- University of Sheffield Dysarthria Awareness Day page: Visit the page
- NHS Info on Dysarthria: NHS UK
- Social media: @dysarthriaawarenessday on Instagram
- Let’s continue to grow a community where everyone feels heard.
