Abstract
Purpose:
The purpose of this clinical focus article is to illustrate how speech-language pathologist (SLP) characterization of anarthria can contribute to neurological diagnosis and to highlight the challenges associated with such an endeavor.
Method:
Used in this study are a retrospective chart review and clinicians' experience-based reflections.
Results:
A 65-year-old man, who, in the context of a neurodegenerative disease, presented with near-complete-loss of speech, was referred by neurologists to SLPs for further characterization of his speech difficulty. Assessment of his limited speech output revealed anarthria with mixed features (spastic and hypokinetic) with superimposed apraxia of speech.
Conclusions:
SLP characterization of anarthria to facilitate neurological diagnosis is challenging but possible. Clinical lessons learned from this unusual scenario are discussed.
The purpose of this clinical focus article is to illustrate how speech-language pathologist (SLP) characterization of anarthria can contribute to neurological diagnosis and to highlight the challenges associated with such an endeavor.
Method:
Used in this study are a retrospective chart review and clinicians' experience-based reflections.
Results:
A 65-year-old man, who, in the context of a neurodegenerative disease, presented with near-complete-loss of speech, was referred by neurologists to SLPs for further characterization of his speech difficulty. Assessment of his limited speech output revealed anarthria with mixed features (spastic and hypokinetic) with superimposed apraxia of speech.
Conclusions:
SLP characterization of anarthria to facilitate neurological diagnosis is challenging but possible. Clinical lessons learned from this unusual scenario are discussed.
| Original language | American English |
|---|---|
| Pages (from-to) | 1438-1444 |
| Journal | Perspectives of the ASHA Special Interest Groups |
| Volume | 6 |
| Issue number | 6 |
| DOIs | |
| State | Published - Oct 27 2021 |
| Externally published | Yes |