Intelligibility in acquired dysarthria--a neuro-phonetic approach: three case studies

A descriptive framework of phonetic parameters for the assessment of dysarthric speech is presented. The phonetic parameters examined are based on a linguistic analysis of aspects of continuous speech. The assessment thus evaluates the functional efficiency of the speech producing mechanisms in encoding the spoken medium of language. The interaction of the deviant parameters is related to the breakdown of intelligibility. Possible underlying neurological correlates are discussed. The implications for therapy using the combined phonetic and neurological information are considered. This assessment procedure is illustrated with case studies of three types of acquired dysarthria.