Communication Aids in Neuromuscular Disease

Speech and voice disorders are common in neuromuscular disease. Dysarthria refers to abnormalities in articulation, while dysphonia refers to changes in vocal quality. Both can impair communication effectiveness, which is critical to quality of life. For mild changes in speech and voice, several adaptive approaches are possible. For more severe difficulty in vocal communication, a wide range of augmentative and alternative communication options exist. This chapter reviews types of speech and voice disorders in neuromuscular disease and strategies to aid communication.