Slurred speech: reasons and features of treatment

The complexity of speech is a disorder of speech activity, because of which normal communication and social interaction of people with society is impossible. Violation is indicated by deviations in the work of psycho-physiological mechanisms of speech, if development does not correspond to age.

One of the defects is muffled speech, because of which the human communication becomes more complicated. The doctors-speech therapists, neurophysiologists, neurologists, otolaryngologists and other specialists are engaged in studying and treating such difficulties. They work with adults and children.

Symptoms

Pathology can be expressed in the absence of speech or in violation of pronunciation. This can be manifested by the following symptoms:

• Indistinctness and slowness of speech, its illegibility.
• A person finds it difficult to pick up words and incorrectly calls things.
• Quick speech, but meaningless.
• Haste of thinking.
• Separation of syllables and emphasis on each of them.

Why does it appear in adults?

Slurred speech in adults can appear suddenly or develop gradually. It can also occur in children. Specialists first find out why this happened, and only then begin treatment. Due to several factors, slurred speech may appear. The reasons are as follows:

• Disorders of the brain.
• Brain trauma is caused by a stroke or thrombosis.
• Head injuries.
• Tumors of the brain.

• Degenerative diseases.
• The immense use of alcohol.
• Weakness of the face muscles.
• Weak or tight fixation of dentures.

Types of disorders in children

Slurred speech in the child is associated with various ailments. The main ones are:

• The external design of a statement is a pronunciation disorder.
• Internal registration is a systemic speech disorder.

Types of violations

Slurred speech of the background (external) design is manifested separately, and together with other violations. In speech therapy there are the following types of violations:

• Afoniya and disafoniya. There is a disorder or lack of phonation due to abnormalities of the vocal apparatus. Usually there is a violation of the height, strength, voice timbre.
• Bradilia. There is a slowdown in the speech rate. The slow realization of the articular speech program is one of the features.
• Tahilalia - speeding up the pace of speech. Accelerated articulatory speech program.
• Stuttering. Violated the organization of speech, when the muscles of the speech apparatus are convulsed. Usually manifested in children.

• Dislalysis. This pathology is presented in the form of a disorder of pronunciation of sounds, when the hearing and innervation of the speech apparatus in a person are normal. There is a distorted sound design of words. This is an indistinct speech. Sound can be pronounced incorrectly, replaced or mixed.
• Rinolalia. Violation of the pronunciation of sounds and voice timbre, which is associated with disorders of the speech apparatus. Changes in the timbre of the voice are manifested when the voice stream of air during exhalation and when pronounced passes into the nasal cavity. This causes a resonance.
• Dysarthria. Violation of pronunciation, which is associated with insufficient innervation of the speech apparatus. This disease appears due to cerebral palsy, which is detected at an early age.

Structural-semantic design of speech

On this basis, violations are divided into 2 types: alalia and aphasia. Each type of ailment has its own symptoms. Alalia manifests itself in the form of a lack or incomplete development of speech. This is due to the defeat of the brain areas that are responsible for it. Violation can occur during fetal development or at an early age.

When alalia shows slurred speech. This defect is considered one of the most complex, since speech activity is not fully formed. Aphasia is the loss of the ability to speak, which is due to a local brain injury. Why do vague speech manifest itself in this violation? This is due to craniocerebral trauma, neuroinfections and brain tumors.

Diagnostic Features

It is necessary to analyze the complaints that the patient expresses. The history of the disease is also taken into account. Experts usually ask when there was a vague speech and whether there are relatives suffering from such a disease. Be sure to visit a neurologist, take an examination. The doctor will check the mandibular and pharyngeal reflexes, examine the pharynx, make sure that there is atrophy of the muscles of the tongue.

The reflexes of the lower and upper extremities are checked. It is necessary to undergo examination at the speech therapist. The doctor evaluates the speech indicators, reveals violations of tempo, complexity. An otorhinolaryngologist needs to be examined, which will protect against such processes in the mouth as ulcers and tumors that can cause disorders.

Computed tomography and magnetic resonance tomography of the head are being performed, with the help of which it will be revealed why an indistinct speech has appeared. Causes in adults and children are determined and in consultation with a neurosurgeon. Only after complete diagnosis are prescribed methods of treatment.

Principles of treatment

If there is an indistinct speech, what should I do? It is necessary to treat the main disease, because of which there was a violation:

• Tumors are removed surgically.
• Resection of the hematoma, if it is on the surface.
• Surgical removal of abscesses in the skull with the subsequent administration of antibacterial agents.
• Normalization of pressure.
• Use of funds to restore metabolism of substance and cerebral blood flow.

People with various disorders should attend a speech therapist, so that the defect can be corrected with the help of special exercises. Regular classes are needed.

Correction of speech

Violation of speech appears not only because of the pathology of the articulatory apparatus, neurological pathology and the habit of improper pronunciation. Another factor is the psychological cause. When agitated, a person's speech becomes barely audible and almost incomprehensible.

The speech therapist's work on speech restoration is based on the following principles:

• Personal orientation.
• Creation of emotionally favorable situation.
• Interaction with parents.
• Positive motivation.

Speech therapy sessions suggest an improvement in the mobility of the articulatory apparatus. There is also work on sounds and restoration of phonemic hearing. Specialists work with children in a game form, using speech games, a computer. Combined activities are carried out, involving the switching of attention from one activity to another.

Rules for the formation of speech

Classes with a specialist in children allow you to form a competent speech, phonetically clear. But such activities will not be enough. A speech therapist helps only to deliver a sound. Everything else depends on the child and parents.

In order to successfully form a speech, the following rules should be observed:

• You should not scold the child for slurred speech, you just need to correct it carefully.
• You should show simple exercises.
• You do not need to focus on errors, stumbles.
• It is necessary to positively adjust to classes with a speech therapist.
• Parents need to watch and for their speech.

Prognosis and prevention

Violations of speech can be corrected if you start this work from an early age or at an early stage. An important role in improving the state is influenced by the surrounding people and the efforts of the person himself. If the timely detection of a violation, and also begin treatment, then you can achieve normalization of speech. Such children continue to study in ordinary schools and get on well with the children.

With complex forms of illness, improving speech is not easy. You can only correct the speech function. In such situations, the complex of activities is wider, and the patient needs to visit a specialized institution. It is necessary to follow the continuity of speech therapy organizations: going to special kindergartens, correctional schools. It is also important to be treated in psychoneurological hospitals, if it was prescribed by a doctor.

Prevention requires the implementation of effective interventions from birth. The child should be protected from neutroinfection, trauma to the skull and brain. It should not be affected by toxic factors.

It should be borne in mind that success comes with a systematic approach and comprehensive organization of events. Together with the traditional treatment should not forget the unconventional ways. It is important to carry out activities for physical activity. Using a variety of methods allows you to get excellent results if you use them correctly.