Speech impediments (Aphasia, Dysarthria)

A speech impediment occurs when the mouth, tongue, and vocal tract have difficulty working together to produce language.

There are a few types of speech impediments, but the best known are stammers or stutters, aphasia, and dysarthria.

Aphasia is caused by damage or injury to the left hand side of the brain, usually caused by something like a stroke or dementia.

Dysarthria can be both developmental, for example if you have cerebral palsy, or acquired, like aphasia.

The exact cause of stammering or stuttering is unknown, but it often occurs in children with neurological developmental disorders like autism.

A speech impediment doesn’t just affect speech, it may also affect reading, writing, typing and listening. With communication impaired, it can be lonely to have a speech impediment. Many people with speech impediments work with a speech and language therapist to improve their speech. If you have a speech impediment and are interested in learning more about them there are resources below to learn more.

• Afasic
• Speech and Language UK
• Snap Charity
• Aphasia NHS
• Dysarthria NHS
• Stammering NHS