Does ALS affect speech?
ALS does affect speech and swallowing when the disease involves the corticobulbar area of the brainstem. As the muscles of the mouth and tongue weaken, speaking becomes increasingly difficult. Speech therapy may be helpful to an ALS patient and can enable the person to be understood even with a weak voice. Eventually, ALS patients lose the ability to speak and must rely on an augmentative communication device in order to communicate.
ALS does affect speech and swallowing when the disease involves the corticobulbar area of the brainstem. As the muscles of the mouth and tongue weaken, speaking becomes increasingly difficult. Speech therapy may be helpful to an ALS patient and can enable the person to be understood even with a weak voice. Eventually, ALS patients lose the ability to speak and must rely on an augmentative communication device in order to communicate. Please go to the Adaptive Equipment page in order to learn more about augmentative communication devices. What is Bulbar ALS? Bulbar refers to the brain stem where motor neurons are concentrated. Bulbar ALS is the type of ALS where speaking and swallowing difficulties are the first symptoms. Many patients with bulbar ALS are unable to speak or eat but are able to walk and write. Bulbar-onset ALS patients generally have a faster disease progression than do limb-onset patients. Limb-onset patients eventually develop bulbar symptoms as their disease progresse
