Neurogenic Speech Disorders in Adults: Causes, Types, and Treatment

Neurogenic speech and language disorders are described as communication difficulties due to damage to the nervous system, resulting in the inability to understand or produce speech and language. The central and peripheral nervous systems can play a vital role in the muscles and processes involved in speaking, understanding, and processing language. Neurogenic communication disorders are often caused by stroke, brain injury, or degenerative diseases. In the event of a neurogenic communication disorder, you may work with a licensed speech-language pathologist to improve articulation and language skills or work on compensatory strategies.

What Are Neurological Speech Disorders?

Neurological speech and language disorders can affect different aspects of communication depending on the location of the damage in the nervous system. They can affect speech clarity, voice strength, articulation, fluency, and language processing.

It is important to note that speech and language are described as two separate entities, both utilized to formulate verbal communication. Speech includes articulation, voice and resonance, and fluency, addressing the structural anatomies and physiological dysfunction of communication. Language involves the neurological production and understanding of language, focused on Broca’s and Wernicke’s areas of the brain.

Common Types of Neurological Speech Disorders

Aphasia

Aphasia is a language disorder caused by damage to the brain’s language centers, which can include Broca’s area, Wernicke’s area, or both. This condition frequently follows a stroke (cerebrovascular accident) or traumatic brain injury (TBI). Key factors determining the type and severity of aphasia include the ability to repeat information, comprehension skills, and fluency of speech.

Apraxia of Speech

Acquired apraxia of speech is a motor planning disorder that makes it difficult to coordinate speech movements. Apraxia is not due to muscle weakness, but rather a disconnect between brain signals and muscle movement. Hallmark signs include inconsistent speech errors, monotone prosody, and groping of speech muscles.

Dysarthria

Dysarthria results from weakness or paralysis of the speech muscles. Common attributes of dysarthria include slurred, slow, or mumbled speech. Similar to aphasia, there are different types of dysarthria, dependent on the location of brain pathology and perceptual characteristics observed. For example, spastic dysarthria may indicate a disorder of the upper motor neuron system while hyperkinetic dysarthria may indicate a disorder of the basal ganglia brain structure. Common conditions that can lead to dysarthria include stroke, ALS, and Parkinson’s disease.

Dysphonia

Dysphonia refers to voice disorders stemming from nervous system dysfunction. Symptoms of dysphonia are described as hoarseness, breathy voice, or changes in vocal pitch and volume. Dysphonia can be caused by various factors, including neurological conditions, structural difficulties, and even psychogenic causes such as stress.

Neurological Conditions That Can Cause Speech Disorders

When it comes to acquired neurogenic communication disorders, there are several conditions that can contribute to speech or language difficulties.

Stroke

A cerebrovascular attack, or stroke, can interrupt blood flow to areas of the brain responsible for speech and language, leading to conditions like aphasia or dysarthria. Symptoms vary depending on the part of the brain affected and may include slurred speech, difficulty finding words, or complete loss of speech. If your loved one suffers from a stroke, you may be working with a speech-language pathologist to rebuild the foundations of speech and language skills. It is important to work with the SLP and your care team as the spontaneous recovery of skills is the most pronounced in the first few weeks post-stroke.

Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI)

Physical injury to the brain from accidents or trauma can damage communication centers and motor planning pathways. TBI may cause issues with articulation, word retrieval, or comprehension, depending on the severity and location of the injury. Traumatic brain injury may also cause deficits in understanding and utilizing executive functioning skills, pragmatics (social skills), and higher-level language skills such as inference, problem-solving, and executing complex tasks.

Neurodegenerative Diseases

Neurodegenerative diseases are conditions that progress over time, in which the patient starts to lose memory, motor movement, and overall cognition. These conditions include ALS, Parkinson’s disease, and Huntington’s disease, which gradually affect motor control and speech abilities. Over time, speech may become slurred, slow, or monotonous, with voice volume decreasing over time. Your SLP will work with you and your care team to ensure the maintenance of consistent access to robust communication.

Multiple Sclerosis (MS)

Multiple Sclerosis (MS) disrupts nerve signaling, which can impair the coordination of the muscles used for speech (dysarthria). This can lead to slurred speech, scanning speech (broken rhythm), and word retrieval issues.

Brain Tumors

Brain tumors located near or within language-related areas of the brain can interfere with speech production or comprehension. Depending on the tumor size, type, and location, speech and language deficits can include word retrieval, articulation, semantic (vocabulary) skills, executive functioning, and social skills.

Symptoms of Neurological Speech Disorders

Common signs that may indicate a neurogenic speech disorder include slurred speech, word-finding difficulties, inconsistent speech errors, or a monotone voice. Symptoms may vary depending on the disorder and severity of brain involvement.

How Neurological Speech Disorders Are Diagnosed

A licensed speech-language pathologist plays an important role in evaluating speech and language abilities. To ensure accurate data, the SLP uses common tools like standardized assessments, imaging scans, and neurological exams to make their clinical decisions. It is important to speak with your care team when you or your loved one start noticing the signs early as early detection can help you and your loved one with building compensatory communication strategies.

Treatment Options for Adults with Neurological Speech Disorders

Speech and Language Therapy

Speech and language therapy can provide skills and strategies in different areas of communication affected by neurological speech disorders. Your SLP may work with you on compensatory strategies such as memory aides, visual schedules, assistive technology, and functional routine breakdowns. If you demonstrate difficulty in muscle coordination or weakness, you may work on speech intelligibility strategies or articulation. Therapy will always be personalized to your needs with ample activities and opportunities to practice both in session and outside of the therapy room.

Assistive Technology

For conditions like dysarthria related to neurodegenerative diseases, your SLP may recommend speech-generating devices, apps, or communication boards for severe cases. These tools can serve as temporary or long-term communication solutions, depending on the disorder’s progression. Check out our post on augmentative alternative communication devices to learn more about assistive technology in the area of communication.

Multidisciplinary Care

Throughout this process, you will never have to do this alone. Collaboration between speech therapists, neurologists, occupational therapists, and psychologists supports recovery. We will work with your loved ones and your dedicated care team to find creative and functional solutions so you can participate in daily activities. An integrated care approach ensures that all aspects of the disorder, including physical, cognitive, and emotional challenges, are addressed.

Living With a Neurological Speech Disorder

Living with a neurological speech condition can be a life-changing experience. You may have questions as to whether or not things will ever go back to the way they were. Your SLP is here to support you and your loved ones in making these decisions. They might teach you or train your family on specific strategies such as slowing down speech, using visual aids, and building resilience. The SLP may also direct towards support groups or therapy communities to help foster a sense of belonging. Your SLP will work with you to ensure you do not have to do this alone.

How Verse Therapy Can Help

When it comes to speech and language concerns, working with a licensed speech-language pathologist can play a vital role in rebuilding your communication skills. At Verse, we partner with the leading experts in the speech therapy world who offer individualized and meaningful care for adults with neurogenic speech disorders. Your Verse-approved therapists will work around your schedule and help you build consistency, confidence, and encouragement on your therapy journey.

Schedule a Consultation with a Speech Therapist Today!