Dysarthria

Tried calling Diane (my wife, in an inpatient unit currently) again just now, but just can’t make out anything she is saying, so mostly just talked with her. It is frustrating for us both. She was (says the nurse) evaluated today by a speech therapist, who can’t find an organic explanation. I brought up the idea of assistive communication devices (even if just for a time), and they will help me look into this. It would be a shame if this were the only remaining barrier to her return home.

Spent some time on Wikipedia, the poor man’s substitute for medical school. Apparently, dysarthria (the technical term for her problem) is common with many medications. It should improve, but we need a strategy in the interim. If she were able to type (not sure at this point), there are type-to-speech programs out there. People with serious organic problems – strokes, for instance – cope that way. Does anyone have any ideas?

Please help me to brainstorm the assistive communication options. It helps to have a concrete, tangible issue to address. If the best require a smartphone, then I’m getting one.

May i suggest looking at an occupational therapist for advice....they can work in a multi disciplinary way with existing practioners. Disability service providers are a excellent source of info and universities who teach medicine and allied health.

Many healing thoughts for positive outcomes. HT