What is motor speech?

• Motor speech refers to the planning, programming, and execution of motor movements needed for speech.

• Rather than what you say, motor speech is about how you say it.

• There are two types of motor speech disorders: dysarthria and apraxia of speech.

  • Dysarthria: Involves difficulty with motor execution for speech. The underlying cause is muscle weakness in the face and throat, as well as respiratory musculature. Signs of dysarthria include changes in breath support, volume, rate of speech, intonation, vocal quality, and articulation (pronunciation). Please see the “voice” section on the “services” page for more information.

  • Apraxia of speech: Includes challenges with motor planning and programming. It is caused by the brain having trouble communicating with the muscles of the mouth where and when to move in order to form the sounds in words. Signs of apraxia of speech include distorted sounds in words, greater impairment when saying longer pieces of information, and greater ease saying well-rehearsed information.