3.1 Explain dysphasia and dysarthria

This guide will help you answer 3.1 Explain dysphasia and dysarthria.

Dysphasia and dysarthria are two different conditions that affect a person’s ability to communicate. They both affect speech but in different ways. Understanding the difference is important for health and social care workers. It helps when supporting people with communication needs.

What Is Dysphasia?

Dysphasia refers to difficulties with language caused by damage to specific parts of the brain. The term comes from the Greek words ‘dys’, meaning impaired, and ‘phasia’, meaning speech or language.

People with dysphasia may have trouble understanding spoken language, finding the right words, or putting words together to form sentences. This is not due to muscle weakness, but results from problems with the brain’s language centres.

Key Features of Dysphasia

• People may struggle with speaking, listening, reading, and writing
• The severity and type of difficulty can vary from person to person
• May affect only understanding, only speaking, or both

For example, someone with dysphasia may be able to speak fluently but use the wrong words, or they may have speech that makes sense but be unable to understand what is said to them.

Types of Dysphasia

There are several types of dysphasia, each affecting different areas of language:

• Expressive dysphasia: The person has trouble expressing themselves. They know what they want to say but have trouble finding words or creating sentences.
• Receptive dysphasia: The person finds it hard to understand spoken or written language. Words may sound jumbled or meaningless to them.
• Global dysphasia: This is the most severe form where both understanding and expressing language are affected. Communication is very limited.

Causes of Dysphasia

Dysphasia is most often caused by damage to the left side of the brain. This area controls language in most people.

Common causes include:

• Stroke: This interrupts blood supply to parts of the brain, leading to damage
• Traumatic brain injury: A blow or injury to the head
• Brain tumours: Growths that affect language centres
• Infections: Severe infections like encephalitis damaging brain tissue
• Neurological conditions: Like epilepsy or some forms of dementia

How Dysphasia Affects Communication

Everyday life can become more challenging for someone with dysphasia. They may:

• Struggle to follow conversations
• Find it difficult to answer questions, even if they know the answer
• Use incorrect words or mix up sentences
• Become frustrated, anxious, or withdrawn because they cannot communicate

People might repeat words, use non-words, or only manage to say one or two words at a time.

What Is Dysarthria?

Dysarthria is a speech disorder caused by muscle problems. The part of the brain controlling speech muscles is affected. Unlike dysphasia, understanding and thinking are not usually changed, but the physical act of speaking is difficult.

The muscles used for speaking—such as the lips, tongue, vocal cords, and diaphragm—become weak, slow, or uncoordinated. This makes speech slurred or hard to understand.

Features of Dysarthria

• Speech can be slurred, slow, soft, or mumbled
• Volume may be very low or very loud
• The quality of the voice can sound strained, nasal, or uneven
• Pronunciation of words can be poor, so speech sounds unclear

The person knows what they want to say but cannot make the right sounds. They may still be able to write or use other ways to communicate.

Types of Dysarthria

Dysarthria can be classified based on which muscles or parts of the brain are affected:

• Spastic dysarthria: Speech is tense and strained due to stiff muscles
• Flaccid dysarthria: Speech is breathy or weak because muscles are floppy
• Ataxic dysarthria: Speech is jerky and uneven, caused by lack of muscle coordination
• Hyperkinetic and hypokinetic dysarthria: Movements are either too much or too little, seen in some movement disorders

Causes of Dysarthria

Dysarthria is a result of nerve or muscle problems, and may be caused by:

• Stroke: Affecting the brain areas controlling motor movements
• Parkinson’s disease: Causes slow, soft speech and makes facial muscles stiff
• Multiple sclerosis: Damages the protective covering of nerves
• Cerebral palsy: Often present from birth due to brain injury
• Motor neurone disease: Progressively weakens the muscles needed for speech
• Brain injury or tumours: Affect muscles directly or nerves controlling them
• Some medications: Rarely, certain drugs can affect muscle tone or coordination

Effects on Communication

Dysarthria affects the physical side of speech, so people:

• May be hard to understand, even by loved ones
• Often get tired trying to speak
• May use facial gestures, writing, or communication boards
• Can get frustrated if others think they lack intelligence, which is not the case

They still know what they want to say, but need more time or support to express it.

Key Differences Between Dysphasia and Dysarthria

Understanding the differences helps with support planning and care.

• Dysphasia is about problems with language and processing words or sentences
• Dysarthria is about problems with the physical production of speech sounds
• Both can make communication hard, but for different reasons
• People with dysphasia may use words incorrectly or not understand language. People with dysarthria know what they want to say but cannot speak clearly.

Recognising Dysphasia and Dysarthria in Health and Social Care Settings

Knowing the signs means you can give better support.

For dysphasia, you may notice:

• Hesitant or slow speech
• Sentences that don’t make sense
• Inability to find the right word
• Difficulty understanding you
• Trouble following instructions

For dysarthria, you may see:

• Slurred or unclear speech
• Obvious struggle to control mouth or tongue movements
• Variable volume in speech
• Drooling, or difficulty chewing and swallowing

It’s important not to confuse these with other conditions. For example, someone with dementia may have memory loss that affects speech, but not always dysphasia.

Supporting People with Dysphasia or Dysarthria

Providing support improves a person’s ability to communicate and feel part of the community.

Practical steps include:

• Allow plenty of time for the person to respond
• Ask simple questions, one at a time
• Use short sentences and clear language
• Be patient and avoid finishing sentences for the person
• Repeat or rephrase information if the person looks confused
• Encourage other forms of communication, such as writing, drawing, or using gestures

People with dysarthria may benefit from:

• Speech and language therapy
• Assistive technology, such as communication devices, speech apps, or alphabet boards
• Encouragement to speak slowly and clearly
• Working in a quiet environment to reduce background noise

People with dysphasia may value:

• Visual aids, such as pictures or symbols
• Cue cards with important information
• Use of routine and structure
• Reassurance, so they do not feel embarrassed or isolated

Supporting Families and Friends

Families may feel helpless. Share information and encourage them to use the same communication strategies. Keeping everyone involved helps reduce frustration.

Causes of Frustration and Distress

Both dysphasia and dysarthria can lead to emotional distress. People may feel very isolated or frustrated when they struggle to get their point across. This can result in withdrawal from social situations, depression, or anger.

Watch for signs of distress and offer emotional support. Encourage positive interactions. Sometimes, arranging sessions with a speech and language therapist helps the person become more confident in communication.

Links with Other Conditions

Dysphasia and dysarthria do not tend to occur in isolation. Other disabilities or medical conditions can be present. This makes communication even more complex. People might also have problems swallowing (dysphagia), which needs careful management to prevent choking or malnutrition.

Always be alert for changes in mood, behaviour, or physical health. Report concerns to your manager or a medical professional.

Professional Roles and Responsibilities

As a health and social care worker:

• Respect the person’s dignity and choices at all times
• Record and report any changes in communication abilities
• Share information only with those who need to know
• Know how to refer to relevant professionals, such as speech and language therapists
• Work in line with equality and diversity policies

Use every opportunity to promote independence and encourage self-expression.

Training and Communication Aids

Training in communication can improve your skills. It also helps you know what tools might be helpful.

Some examples of communication aids:

• Communication boards or books
• Simple sign language, such as Makaton
• Electronic devices that generate speech
• Apps for tablets or phones

Always support the person to choose the method they are comfortable with.

Rights and Legislation

UK law protects the rights of people with disabilities, including communication difficulties. The Equality Act 2010 ensures access to services without discrimination.

People have a right to get information in a way they can understand—this is covered by the Accessible Information Standard. Organisations must supply information in formats like large print, audio, or easy-read where needed.

Refusing reasonable adjustments can be classed as discrimination.

The Importance of Person-Centred Care

Everyone’s experience of dysphasia or dysarthria is unique. Tailor support to individual needs.

This means involving the person in all decisions about their care. Ask for their preferences and respect their choices in communication. Include family or friends as partners in care if the person agrees.

Final Thoughts

Dysphasia and dysarthria affect the way people speak and understand language, but in distinct ways. Dysphasia is all about trouble with processing and using language, while dysarthria is about physical barriers to making speech sounds. Both can have a huge impact on daily life and relationships.

As a care worker, your role is to support, encourage, and help people find their voice in whatever way suits them best. Kindness, patience, and a willingness to learn are key. With the right approach and the involvement of other professionals, people living with communication difficulties can still enjoy rich lives, participate in their communities, and maintain independence. Always remember—communication is a basic right, and everyone deserves to be heard.