Treatment of the Dysarthrias and Acquired Apraxia of Speech

This book is a practical guide for clinicians in all settings with neurogenic speech disorder populations. Streamlined and comprehensive, it reviews the primary characteristics of motor speech disorders, with discussions of various clinical examination techniques and brief overviews of popular test batteries and laboratory studies that may be used to augment the examination and diagnosis. Information is given on how to construct or purchase various therapeutic tools, as well as information on the clinical relevance of each tool and its usefulness in the treatment of patients with motor speech disorders. The text offers exercise regimens with user-friendly techniques for the various speech subsystems, including respiration, phonation, articulation, and prosody. Also included are applicable log sheets with which to record patient responses to various exercises, flow charts illustrating treatment protocols, and case studies to further illustrate and facilitate practical use of the information. Organization of treatment strategies by disorder subtype rather than by speech subsystem(s) involved in the disorder makes this book clear-cut and easy-to-follow. Potential effects of managed care on the overall treatment process is discussed and alternative therapy protocols are suggested for patients placed under such constraints.