Final answer:
Flaccid dysarthria is a motor speech disorder characterized by weakness or paralysis of speech muscles. As an SLP, important characteristics to look for include weak, breathy voice, hypernasality, and imprecise articulation.
Step-by-step explanation:
Characteristics of Flaccid Dysarthria to Look for as an SLP
Flaccid dysarthria is a motor speech disorder that is characterized by weakness or paralysis of the muscles involved in speech production. As an SLP, you should look for the following characteristics:
- Weak, breathy voice: The person with flaccid dysarthria may have difficulty controlling the volume and quality of their voice. Their voice may sound weak, breathy, or hoarse.
- Hypernasality: Due to weakness in the muscles responsible for closing the velopharyngeal port, individuals with flaccid dysarthria may have excessive nasal resonance in their speech.
- Imprecise articulation: Weakness in the muscles of the tongue, lips, and jaw can result in imprecise articulation of speech sounds. The person may have difficulty forming sounds accurately, leading to slurred or distorted speech.
As an SLP, it's important to carefully assess and diagnose individuals with flaccid dysarthria in order to develop appropriate treatment plans that target specific speech goals.
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