Dysarthria occurs when the part of the brain that controls
speech production is damaged. When this happens, the muscles
needed to make certain sounds can’t be used fully. A speech
therapist (an expert trained in speech rehabilitation) will find
out how dysarthria is affecting the patient’s speech. Then
rehabilitation (rehab) can focus on improving those speech
problems. Helping Your Loved One Speech, like any skill, gets
better with practice. Try these tips: Practice saying sounds and
words with your loved one. Remind the person to speak slowly.
This gives him or her time to make all the sounds that form each
word. Ask the person to repeat words you cannot understand. Try
not to speak for the person unless it is necessary. Praise any
effort at speech that the person makes. Before rehab starts, the
therapist asks the patient to try a few simple tests. A patient
may be asked to blow at a tissue or a candle flame. A patient
may also be told to bite the lower lip and stick out the tongue.
During these tests, the