Ataxic Dysarthria

Question 1

Ataxic dysarthria is a perceptuall distinctive MSD associated w/ damage to the ___________.

Answer 1

cerebellum or cerebellar control circuits

Question 2

Ataxic dystarthria is most evident in what 2 levels of speech?

Answer 2

articulation and prosody

Question 3

What do ataxic speech characteristics reflect?

Answer 3

the effects of incoordination and reduced muscle tone on speech

Question 4

Ataxic speech is _____ and has a _____ quality.

Answer 4

unstead

slurred

Question 5

ataxia: ?

Answer 5

widespread incoordination

Question 6

Primary function of the cerebellum?

Answer 6

coordinate timing and force of muscular contractions

Question 7

Sypmtoms of ataxia are _____ due to double crossing.

Answer 7

ipsilateral

Question 8

3 roles of cerebellar control circuit?

Answer 8

coordination of rapid alternating movements, motor programming, and maintenance of muscle tone

Question 9

What are the effects of lesions of cerebellar cicuits?

Answer 9

Hypotonia
Dysmetria
Dysdiadochokinesis
Ataxia 
Intention Tremors 
Nystagmus

Question 10

What are causes of Ataxic Dysarthria?

Answer 10

Friedreich’s ataxia, stroke in cerebellum, MS, TBI, alcohol abuse and tumors

Question 11

Speech characteristics of Ataxia

Answer 11

• vowel prolongation
• speech AMRs-slow and irregular
• scanning speech

Question 12

What is the most prevalent speech error?

Answer 12

imprecise consonant production

Question 13

Pt complaints of Ataxia

Answer 13

• slurred speech
• “sound drunk”
• reduced ability to coordinate speech & breathing
• biting tongue/cheeks when speaking/eating
• infrequent drooling
• infrequent swallowing issues