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Imagine having so much to say but feeling held back by the words themselves—speech disorders are more common than you might think and can affect anyone at any stage in life. These conditions can make everyday conversations feel like steep mountains to climb.
Speech disorders vary widely in how they manifest and impact lives, yet they’re often misunderstood or overlooked. Whether you know someone affected or are simply curious, this exploration reveals how powerful communication truly is.
Lone Star Neurology states that these disorders can result from genetic tendencies and physical irregularities. It is mentioned that genetics, which are passed down through generations due to mistakes, can cause speech and language disorders.
Brain injuries are said to also interfere with speech transmission, affecting the brain’s language control regions. “Developmental setbacks occur when youngsters require additional time to attain speech. This may ultimately result in speech impairments. Although each child advances at their own speed. Most generally commence uttering terms approximately on their initial birthday.”
The above source continues to explain that medical conditions like autism and Down syndrome can also cause speech disorders by impacting the brain and speech muscles, causing difficulties in word and sentence production.
The most common speech disorders are stuttering apraxia, and dysarthria. The Raleigh Capitol Ear Nose & Throat publication states that apraxia is a condition where the tongue and lips cannot produce sounds correctly, leading to speech difficulties. It is believed to be caused by stroke, dementia, brain tumours, or traumatic injuries, and can be treated by a speech pathologist by retraining the affected muscles through repeated mouth movements.
Dysarthria is a condition primarily caused by brain tumours, ALS, Parkinson’s, multiple sclerosis, muscular dystrophy, and cerebral palsy, claims the above source. Treatment is said to depend on the cause and severity, with speech-language pathologists working to improve speech clarity and muscle strength.
Medical News Today defines stuttering as a speech disorder that disrupts speech flow, causing repetitions, blocks, and prolongations. Symptoms are claimed to vary depending on stress, excitement, or frustration. “Stuttering can cause both behavioural and physical symptoms that occur at the same time. These can include tension in the face and shoulders, rapid blinking, lip, tremors, clenched fists and sudden head movements.”
Also see: Here’s what you need to know about empathy disorder
