Clear Speech TogetherHow to Help a Friend or Relative with Dysarthria
Dysarthria affects how clearly someone can speak, but their thoughts, feelings, and intelligence are unchanged. Your role as a communication partner is vital. You can make conversations easier and less tiring for both of you.
This is general advice and might not suit everyone. The strategies should be discussed amongst communication partners to establish which ones are helpful or not.
1, Set Up a Helpful Environment
- Reduce background noise – turn off or turn down the TV, radio, or music before you talk.
- Choose quiet places – pick quieter restaurants and avoid talking next to loud machinery or in busy corridors.
- Sit face to face – so you can watch their mouth, facial expressions, and gestures (this also helps with lipreading).
- Minimize visual distractions – try to have a plain background behind you so they can focus on your face.
2, Communication Strategies
- Give plenty of time – do not finish their sentences, or move on quickly. Let them take the time they need to speak.
- Ask them to repeat (politely) – if you did not understand, say which part you missed:
“I heard the first part, but not the last word.”
- Recap and confirm –
repeat back what you think they said to check:
“So, you’re saying we should meet at 3 o’clock?”
- Use yes/no or choice questions if you are still unsure:
“Is it today or tomorrow?”
“Do you mean your daughter or your sister?”
- Encourage using key words – if you cannot understand the message despite repeats, ask them to use shorter sentences and key words, or to write down important words or names if needed.
- Suggest other ways to communicate – pointing to objects or pictures, using gestures, facial expressions, or drawing alongside speech.
- Ask for context – make sure you are clear about the topic of conversation – it can help make sense of less intelligible parts of speech.
- Be honest – do not pretend to understand. It is more respectful to say, “I’m sorry, I didn’t quite get that; can we try another way?”
- Be patient and encouraging - provide non-verbal feedback such as nodding or “hm” sound to indicate that you are following the message, do not rush them
- Remember fatigue – speaking can be much harder when the person is tired; be prepared to take breaks or switch to writing or gestures.
- Be patient on the phone – phone calls are harder because you cannot see each other. Keep calls short, give clear topics, and consider text, email, or relay/assistive services where available.
3, Work with the Speech and Language Therapist
- Seek professional advice – discuss with the Speech and Language Therapist (SLT) which specific strategies work best for you and your friend/relative.
- Use therapy strategies at home – practising the therapeutic techniques in everyday conversations helps carry over the benefits into real life. Find out from the SLT how you can best support the person in that.
By creating a supportive environment and using these simple strategies, you can greatly improve communication and help your friend or relative feel more confident and understood.
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