• Margaret Walshe and Nick Miller.
• Department of Clinical Speech and Language Studies, Trinity College Dublin, Dublin 2, Ireland. walshema@tcd.ie
• Disabil Rehabil. 2011 Jan 1;33(3):195-203.

PurposeTo explore the speaker's experience of living with acquired chronic dysarthria.MethodTen people with dysarthria and progressive neurological illness and one person with dysarthria following stroke were interviewed in depth about their experience of living with dysarthria. They covered a range of ages, time post-onset and dysarthria severity levels. Interviews were transcribed and analysed using Framework Method of Analysis.ResultsAcquired dysarthria can negatively impact on speakers' lives. Findings here suggest that the experience of living with dysarthria is highly individual. There were some common perspectives. Six key themes emerged from interviews: 'dysarthria as only part of the picture', 'communication has changed', 'people treat me differently', 'dysarthria resulting in negative emotions', 'barriers to communication' and 'life is different now. The impact of co-existing physical disability and the need to consider dysarthria in context was emphasised by all participants.ConclusionFindings re-emphasise the need to consider the individual experience in clinical practice. The findings provide direction for assessment and intervention in the area.

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