garbled speech definition

Dysarthria: What to Know About Slurred Speech from Nerve Damage

This article will address your most pressing questions about the motor speech disorder dysarthria, including what it is, what causes it, and what treatment options are available.

By Ability Central

12 February, 2024

The motor speech disorder dysarthria is a condition in which nerve damage weakens the muscles used for speech. People with dysarthria have difficulty speaking. Their speech may be slurred, breathy, strained, or otherwise difficult to understand.

This article answers your biggest questions about dysarthria, including:

What is dysarthria?

What causes dysarthria, what are the different types of dysarthria, what are the early signs and symptoms of dysarthria, how does dysarthria affect adults, how is dysarthria diagnosed and treated, how can someone with dysarthria communicate more clearly, what are tips for listeners while talking to someone with dysarthria, where can i find help for dysarthria.

Dysarthria is a motor speech disorder. A person with dysarthria may be unable to control the muscles used for articulation, speed, and pitch of speech, generally due to nerve damage.

Dysarthria is not the same as aphasia, although each is a communication disorder, and you can have the conditions at the same time. Dysarthria is a speech impairment or speech disorder, while aphasia is an expressive language disorder or specific language impairment where the person has difficulty understanding words or putting them together in a sentence. 

A nerve, brain, or muscle disorder may cause dysarthria as the muscles that control the mouth, tongue, larynx, or vocal cords become weak or paralyzed. 

Developmental dysarthria is the result of brain damage during fetal development or at birth. Conditions like cerebral palsy, epilepsy, or carbon monoxide exposure can cause developmental dysarthria in young children. 

Acquired dysarthria is the result of brain damage later in life. Stroke , Parkinson’s disease, and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS, or Lou Gehrig’s disease) are common causes of acquired dysarthria.

Other conditions that may lead to dysarthria include:

• Brain cancer
• Brain injury
• Brain tumor
• Cerebral palsy
• Guillain-Barre syndrome
• Head injury
• Huntington's disease
• Lyme disease
• Multiple sclerosis
• Muscular dystrophy
• Myasthenia gravis
• Severe spinal injury
• Traumatic brain injury
• Wilson's disease

Dysarthria can also be a side effect of certain medications, like certain sedatives or epilepsy medications. 

Beyond categorization as developmental or acquired, dysarthria can appear as one of six types: 

• Ataxic dysarthria , caused by damage to the cerebellum, which helps coordinate muscle movement. A person with ataxic dysarthria may have trouble pronouncing letters and emphasizing the right parts of a word when speaking.
• Flaccid dysarthria,  caused by damage to the lower motor neurons. This causes speech to be breathy and nasal.
• Hyperkinetic dysarthria , caused by damage to the basal ganglia, the brain structure responsible for muscle movement. Hyperkinetic dysarthria causes fast, hyper-sounding, and often unpredictable speech.
• Hypokinetic dysarthria is also caused by damage to the basal ganglia, but with hypokinetic dysarthria, speech is slowed, monotone, or rigid.
• Spastic dysarthria , caused by damage to the upper neurons on one or both sides of the brain. This causes speech to be strained or harsh.
• Mixed dysarthria includes a mix of two or more of the other five types.

The primary symptom of dysarthria is unclear or garbled speech. Other symptoms include:

• Difficulty moving the mouth, tongue, or lips.
• Slurred speech.
• Unusually slow or unusually fast speech.
• Difficulty controlling voice volume.
• A nasal, strained, or monotone voice.
• Hesitation in talking.
• Speaking in short bursts instead of complete sentences.

Dysarthria can cause communication problems that lead to social difficulties, depression, and social isolation. It can also cause problems at work or in school, particularly in roles that require public speaking. 

Depending on the severity of the disability, people with dysarthria may qualify for certain protections under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). The ADA protects people with disabilities from discrimination in the workplace, on public transit, and in public businesses. 

Ask your employer about potential accommodations for dysarthria, such as using email and text messages instead of phone calls or face-to-face meetings. 

There are many technologies that can help people with dysarthria communicate. An easy first step is a cell phone with accessibility features designed for dysarthria. Many people with dysarthria find programs like text-to-speech apps helpful for communication.

Generally, the first test for dysarthria is a physical exam from a primary care physician (PCP) or speech-language pathologist (SLP). Depending on the results of the physical exam, doctors may call for further testing to find the underlying cause of the dysarthria symptoms.

This series of tests may include:

• MRI or CT scans of the brain, head, or neck to check for physical abnormalities.
• An electroencephalogram (EEG) to check for abnormalities in brain activity.
• Electromyography to test the electrical function of the muscles and nerves.
• Blood or urine tests to see if there is an infection or inflammation.
• A spinal tap, also known as a lumbar puncture, to check for tumors or infections.
• Barium or videofluoroscopic swallow studies to test the muscles used for swallowing. 

Dysarthria treatment depends on the cause, severity, and type of dysarthria. Treatment options include:

• Speech and language therapy to improve communication and, if possible, regain normal speech.
• Speech strategies to give the best chance of being heard and understood.
• Surgery, if necessary to remove a tumor or fix an injury that’s causing dysarthria.
• Nonverbal communication strategies, like writing or sign language.
• Other accommodations and modification strategies for school or the workplace.

Much of managing dysarthria symptoms involves finding new or adaptive methods of communication. These might include:

• Using hand gestures or sign language.
• Writing by hand. 
• Typing on a computer or cell phone.
• Using text-to-speech software. 

In some dysarthria cases where the underlying condition also affects the muscles used to write and type, people with dysarthria can use tools like alphabet boards to communicate via touching and pointing. 

When speaking, many people with dysarthria find they communicate more clearly by:

• Speaking slowly.
• Using short phrases.
• Pausing between sentences to check for listener comprehension.
• Starting a conversation with a single word so the listener knows what you’re talking about. For example, saying “travel” before discussing travel logistics.

Friends, family, or coworkers of people with dysarthria can make communication easier by:

• Eliminating background noise, such as turning off the TV or moving to a quieter room.
• Facing the speaker and sitting close enough to understand visual cues.
• Making eye contact.
• Ensuring good lighting.
• Asking yes or no questions.
• Repeating what they’ve said to make sure you understand.

If you don’t understand someone with dysarthria, do not pretend you do. This can be frustrating and embarrassing for both the speaker and the listener. Instead, ask them to repeat themselves or find an alternate communication method like writing down what they’re trying to say. 

Your primary doctor is an excellent first step to receive testing for dysarthria. In addition, Ability Central has a searchable database of non-profits that can help with everything from diagnosis to treatment.

For more information on conditions that impact speech, see: 

• Aphasia and Dysphasia: Why Do People Stop Using and Understanding Language?
• Expressive Language Disorder: Symptoms, Challenges, and Treatments
• What Should I Do After a Muteness Diagnosis?
• Receptive Language Disorder: Why Can’t I Understand What People Say?

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Dysarthria (difficulty speaking)

Dysarthria is where you have difficulty speaking because the muscles you use for speech are weak. It can be caused by conditions that damage your brain or nerves and some medicines. Speech and language therapy can help.

Immediate action required: Call 999 if:

• somebody's face droops on 1 side (the mouth or eye may have drooped)
• a person cannot lift up both arms and keep them there
• a person has difficulty speaking (speech may be slurred or garbled)

These can be signs of a stroke, which is a medical emergency. The symptoms of a stroke usually come on suddenly.

Check if it's dysarthria

The main symptom of dysarthria is unclear speech. This can make it difficult for you to make yourself understood.

Your speech may only be slightly unclear, or you may not be able to speak clearly at all.

Other symptoms include:

• difficulty moving your mouth, tongue or lips
• slurred or slow speech
• difficulty controlling the volume of your voice, making you talk too loudly or quietly
• a change in your voice, making it nasal, strained or monotone
• hesitating a lot when talking, or speaking in short bursts instead of full sentences

Being stressed or tired may make your symptoms worse.

Dysarthria is not the same as dysphasia, although you can have both conditions at the same time. Dysphasia, also known as aphasia , is where you have difficulty understanding words or putting them together in a sentence.

Non-urgent advice: See a GP if:

• you've noticed gradual changes to your or your child's speech and you're worried

They'll examine you and may refer you to a specialist for further tests.

Causes of dysarthria

Dysarthria is usually caused by damage to the brain or conditions that affect the nervous system. It can happen at any age.

Common causes include:

• stroke , severe head injury and brain tumours
• Parkinson's disease , multiple sclerosis and motor neurone disease
• cerebral palsy and Down's syndrome

It can also be a side effect of certain medicines, such as some medicines to treat epilepsy.

Treatment for dysarthria

If you have dysarthria, you'll usually be referred to a speech and language therapist. They'll offer therapy to help your speech and communication.

The therapy you're offered will be different depending on the cause of your dysarthria and how severe it is.

Some people may find therapy does not help their symptoms, or their speech may get worse as their condition progresses. Their therapy may focus on helping communication in other ways.

Speech and language therapy may include:

• exercises to strengthen the muscles used for speech
• strategies to make your speech easier to understand, such as slowing down when you're talking
• using communication aids, such as an alphabet board or a voice amplifier

Find out more

• Headway: communication problems after brain injury
• Stroke Association: communication tools

Page last reviewed: 17 February 2023 Next review due: 17 February 2026

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What is slurred speech?

Slurred speech is when you have trouble speaking, your words are slow or garbled, or your words run together. When you talk, many components of your nervous system work together to form words. When these parts don’t work correctly, your speech can become distorted, or “slurred.” The medical term for slurred speech is dysarthria.

Slurred speech includes problems pronouncing words and regulating the speed or pace of your speech. It can range from a barely noticeable problem to one that’s so severe that others can’t understand what you’re saying.

People often describe slurred speech as feeling like you’re trying to talk with your mouth full of marbles.

Common causes of slurred or slow speech include drinking too much alcohol and not getting enough sleep. In these cases, the slurring will stop once you’re sober again and have gotten rest, respectively.

There are also other causes of slurred speech such as a stroke (a medical emergency), brain tumor, Bell’s palsy, or a serious migraine.

Does slurred speech always need to be treated?

"People often think slurred speech is a minor symptom that does not need a medical evaluation. As our speech and ability to speak is our main form of communication, it is important to look for correctable causes." — Dr. Karen Hoerst

Should I go to the ER for slurred speech?

You should call 911 if:

• Your slurred speech starts suddenly.
• You have other symptoms, such as a sudden or severe headache and weakness or numbness of one side of your body.
• Your tongue, face, or lips are swelling, which could mean you’re having an allergic reaction.

1. Stroke or TIA (transient ischemic attack)

• Slurred speech
• Drooping of one side of the face
• Weakness or trouble controlling one side of the body
• Numbness in the face , arm , or leg
• Difficulty walking
• Sudden loss of vision or double vision
• Sudden, severe headache

A stroke occurs in the brain because the blow flow in a blood vessel is blocked. It can also happen when a blood vessel ruptures or leaks. This affects the blood supply to parts of the brain, which leads long-term damage. If it affects the area of the brain responsible for speech, it can cause slurred speech.

A transient ischemic attack , or TIA, is sometimes called a "mini stroke." A TIA is a temporary interruption of blood flow that causes the same symptoms as a stroke, but improves without any permanent damage to the brain or symptoms.

For example, if you have slurred speech because of a TIA, once the blood flow is restored to that area of the brain, the slurred speech goes away. But people who have a TIA are at a high risk of having a stroke in the future, especially if their risk factors are not treated. Risk factors are the same for stroke and TIA and include smoking, obesity, and cardiovascular disease.

It’s extremely important to call 911 right away if you suddenly have slurred speech. Getting immediate treatment is critical to minimizing permanent damage. Paramedics can begin treating you in the ambulance on the way to the hospital, so it’s better to call 911 than go to the ER yourself.

Treatments for strokes and TIAs include medications to break up blood clots and surgery to remove blood clots from the vessels. If your stroke is from bleeding in the brain, you may need surgery to repair a blood vessel.

Following treatment, your doctor will recommend medications to prevent another TIA or stroke. These typically include drugs that prevent clots from forming in the blood (like aspirin or other blood thinners) and cholesterol medication to prevent plaque from building up on the walls of the blood vessels. You may also need to take medication to control your blood pressure.

Speech therapy is recommended to help treat problems with speech.

It may not be a stroke

"There are so many possible causes of slurred speech. Most of the time we need a detailed history and physical exam to guide the diagnosis and treatment." — Dr. Hoerst

2. Bell’s palsy

• Drooping of the face
• Drooping of the eye
• Changes in taste or hearing

Bell’s palsy is a relatively common condition that affects the facial nerve, which is responsible for movement of your face.

In Bell’s palsy, the nerve gets inflamed typically because of a recent viral infection. This inflammation can cause the facial nerve to not work as well, leading to drooping and slurred speech.

Bell’s palsy usually improves in a few months, but medications such as steroids and antiviral drugs are typically given to help speed the process. If nerve problems continue, physical therapy is recommended. In rare instances, surgery may be needed to help improve facial muscle function.

3. Brain tumor

• Slurred speech or speech difficulties
• New or changing headaches
• Weakness or coordination and balance problems
• Abnormal vision

A brain tumor is an abnormal growth of cells in the brain. A brain tumor may be cancerous (malignant) or noncancerous (benign). Both types can cause symptoms including slurred speech.

The diagnosis of a tumor in the brain or spinal cord is based on an exam and imaging of the brain, such as an MRI or CT scan. A biopsy (tissue sample) may be needed to determine what type of tumor it is.

Some tumors, such as a small noncancerous tumor, do not need treatment, though your doctor will recommend periodic MRI scans to make sure it hasn’t changed.

Most larger or cancerous tumors do require treatment, which may consist of chemotherapy, radiation, or surgery. If you develop physical or cognitive (mental) problems from the tumor, rehabilitation such as physical therapy, occupational therapy, or speech therapy may be needed.

4. Multiple sclerosis

• Blurred vision or decreased vision, typically in one eye
• Weakness or trouble walking
• Numbness or pins-and-needles sensation on your face, arm, or leg (typically on one side)
• A band-like squeezing sensation around the chest or abdomen
• Difficulty focusing

Multiple sclerosis, or MS, is a central-nervous system disease that affects the cells of the brain and spinal cord. In MS, a fatty tissue that surrounds nerve fibers (myelin) is attacked. Myelin helps to insulate the electrical signals sent through the nerves. When there is a problem with this fatty tissue, information sent to and from the brain can be disrupted.

MS is most common in young adults between the ages of 20 and 50, according to the National MS Society .

MS is not curable , but treatments have dramatically improved the ability to control MS, so people usually have fewer symptoms and less disability.

Treatment includes medications that may be taken orally or injected or infused through an IV line. Physical therapy and speech therapy are commonly used to help in physical recovery, and medications can be used to treat other symptoms, such as depression, pain, and fatigue.

5. Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS)

• Difficulty with speech, including slurred speech
• Progressive weakness and difficulty balancing
• Muscle cramps, twitching, and stiffness
• Difficulty swallowing

Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is also known as Lou Gehrig’s disease. It affects nerve cells called motor neurons that control your movement.

The disease primarily causes a loss of strength, impaired swallowing and speech, and in most cases, difficulty breathing because of impaired respiratory muscles. It is a progressive disease, meaning that symptoms are mild at first and worsen over time.

Previously, it was thought that ALS doesn’t affect a person’s mental ability. But it’s now known that people with ALS can get a specific type of dementia called frontotemporal dementia (FTD). That condition can affect behavior, mood, and speech.

Symptoms of ALS can develop in adults of any age, but it’s most commonly diagnosed in people who are between the ages of 40 and 70, according to the ALS Association .

While there are some medications that can be used to delay the progression of the disease, there is currently no cure for ALS. Treatment includes rehabilitation with physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech therapy, and respiratory therapy.

6. Migraine

• Sensitivity to light and sound
• Visual disturbances

A migraine causes a severe headache that is often accompanied by nausea and sensitivity to light or sound. But some migraines don’t cause head pain.

Other symptoms that involve the nervous system can occur. Some of these sensory symptoms are called “auras.” These distortions can cause visual changes , including flashing lights or distorted vision. People may feel tingling or numbness of their face, arm, or leg.

In some types of migraine, people may even develop slurred speech and weakness of the face, arm, or leg. These are also symptoms of a stroke, so it may be hard to figure out which condition you have. If you develop sudden slurred speech or weakness, go to the ER immediately.

In an acute migraine attack, medications can be used to stop a migraine that has already started, such as triptans or newer medications called CGRP inhibitors. These medications can be in pill form, inhaled form, or injectable medications.

Migraine prevention can include taking medications for blood pressure, anticonvulsants, or even antidepressants. In some instances, Botox treatments are used to prevent migraine.

Behavior and lifestyle changes such as exercise, improved sleep, and healthy diet or weight loss are also often recommended to help decrease the number of migraine headaches you experience.

Other possible causes

Slurred speech may occur from alcohol intoxication or tiredness. It can also be a side effect of medications like high dose pain medications, antipsychotic medications or even some allergy medications like antihistamines. Other causes include:

• Infections such as urinary tract infections or electrolyte imbalances (particularly in elderly people).
• Brain infections such as meningitis or encephalitis.
• Problems that affect your mouth or throat, such as poorly fitting dentures, dental infections, dental numbing medications, swelling in your throat, or muscle or nerve problems.
• An allergic reaction , especially if you notice slurred speech along with tongue swelling , lip swelling, or shortness of breath.

"Early speech therapy can not only help with early improvement but also with diagnosis. Speech-language pathologists have special training in detecting the various types of slurred speech, which helps to determine the possible causes."— Dr. Hoerst

Specialty treatment options

• Speech therapy is the most common treatment for slurred speech.
• Injected medications such as Botox are sometimes used, depending on the cause of slurred speech.
• Medications to improve nerve and muscle function.

While it's important to follow your healthcare provider's guidance, here are some over-the-counter (OTC) options that might provide extra support.

• Proper nutrition supports overall health, including nerve function. Supplements like B vitamins may support neurological health.
• Staying hydrated is key, especially if speech difficulties make it hard to drink. Consider a no-spill, easy-sip water bottle designed for easy grip.
• Engaging in exercises to improve speech clarity can be helpful. Explore speech therapy tools and resources that you can use at home.

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Several medical issues can cause slow, slurred speech. Speech-language pathologists can help identify the cause and use appropriate therapies so the patient can communicate more clearly.

Johnna Johnson is a speech-language pathologist at Regional One Health’s East Campus Center for Rehabilitative Medicine . She literally teaches patients to form sounds and words so they can speak more clearly.

There are several causes for garbled speech, and a speech-language pathologist can help by re-teaching patients how to form sounds correctly.

“I can cue every movement of a patient’s lips and mouth to make a sound. I can get a non-verbal person to produce words and phrases in the therapy room because I know the articulatory placements of the tongue and lips to be able to produce sounds,” Johnson said.

Johnson said garbled speech typically falls into two categories.

Dysarthria is weak muscles due to brain damage. Patients have a hard time controlling the muscles used in speech. Muscles in the face, lips, tongue and throat are affected.

Apraxia is a motor disorder. Patients find it hard to move their mouth and tongue to speak. This occurs even though the muscles are fine and the patient wants to speak.

Dysarthria and apraxia often have the same causes:

• Brain injury
• Brain tumor

Speech-language pathologists literally show patients how to make sounds by demonstrating the proper position of their lips, tongue, etc.

Johnson said speech therapists help by physically showing patients how to form sounds. They focus on constant repetition to engage neural plasticity.

“The patients can’t control their tongue and lips, so I give them a visual of what I want them to do,” she said. “I show them how they should manipulate their lips, tongue, etc. to make specific sounds and say specific words.”

Johnson gave some examples:

• To make a P, B or M sound, she tells patients to start with a closed mouth.
• T, D, L and N start with the tongue behind the front teeth.
• To say words like slice, you smile then move your tongue up.

Johnson said tongue and lip placement and repetition are key. That’s why words like “spaghetti” are so hard to teach. The word involves quickly changing between several mouth positions.

Practice can help patients overcome or improve dysarthria and apraxia. Johnson starts by helping them memorize key functional phrases they use every day. For example, one of her patients has young kids. She helped her learn to give simple directions like “get dressed” or “clean up.”

Practice is essential when relearning sounds and words, so speech-language pathologist Johnna Johnson encourages family involvement.

Johnson said patients can relearn words and phrases. It requires dedication. “Repetition is key,” she said. “Apps and iPads are helpful because they allow for more practice.”

It’s called neuroplasticity. The brain is a living organ. If you repeat a motor sequence you can make connections to relearn it.

Johnson recommends videos and apps patients can use to practice at home.

She also encourages family members to attend therapy sessions with the patient. That way they can learn how to help coach the patient to form sounds, words and phrases.

“Too often a patient can speak while they’re in my office, but once they leave me they go back into the silent world,” she said. “The way to have success is that it takes a village. The family has to go to therapy and learn how to cue the patient, and they have to practice every day.”

Contact the Center for Rehabilitative Medicine at 901-515-5900 to learn more.

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Definition of garble

 (Entry 1 of 2)

transitive verb

Definition of garble  (Entry 2 of 2)

Did you know?

Garble comes from Anglo-French garbeler , meaning "to remove impurities or refuse from (spices)." The English word refers to distortion of speech or writing that makes its meaning unclear (impure).

• misinterpret
• misrepresent

Examples of garble in a Sentence

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'garble.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Middle English garbelen "to remove impurites or refuse from (spices)," borrowed from Anglo-French garbeler, probably borrowed—directly or from Italian *garbellare (attested in Medieval Latin of Verona as garbellāre in 1319)—from Arabic gharbala "to sift, screen," derivative of ghirbāl "sieve," borrowed from Late Latin crībellum, diminutive of Latin crībrum "sieve" — more at riddle entry 3

Note: Presumably a word passed from Arabic to Mediterranean Europe through trade in Eastern spices. The earliest evidence of the Romance/Latin etymon is in a statute of the city of Marseille (recording both garbellare and garbellum "sieve, riddle") from 1269 (though there is apparently no corresponding word in Old Occitan). The French form garbalé (past participle of the verb) is attested in a document from Bruges in Flanders dated to 1304. Joan Coromines ( Diccionario crítico etimológico castellano e hispánico ) believes the word was first adopted from Arabic in Catalonia, partly on the basis of the half-Catalan phrase grana assaonada "ripened grains [?]" used in the above-mentioned Marseille statute.

derivative of garble entry 1 ; in sense 2 perhaps in part borrowed from Italian garbello , noun derivative of garbellare

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 3

1503, in the meaning defined at sense 2

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Cite this entry.

“Garble.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary , Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/garble. Accessed 17 Apr. 2024.

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Definition of garbled adjective from the Oxford Advanced Learner's Dictionary

• He gave a garbled account of what had happened.
• There was a garbled message from her on my voicemail.

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Look up any word in the dictionary offline, anytime, anywhere with the Oxford Advanced Learner’s Dictionary app.

Definition of 'garbled'

garbled in British English

Examples of 'garbled' in a sentence garbled, trends of garbled.

View usage over: Since Exist Last 10 years Last 50 years Last 100 years Last 300 years

In other languages garbled

• American English : garbled / ˈgɑrbəld /
• Brazilian Portuguese : deturpado
• Chinese : 混乱不清的 信息或报告
• European Spanish : confuso
• French : confus
• German : wirr
• Italian : ingarbugliato
• Japanese : 混乱した
• Korean : 와전된
• European Portuguese : deturpado
• Spanish : confuso

Browse alphabetically garbled

• garboard (strake)
• All ENGLISH words that begin with 'G'

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"Garbled" Speech - How to Describe?

Nurses General Nursing

Updated: Mar 2, 2020   Published Jul 19, 2007

NursingAgainstdaOdds

I've been hearing the term "garbled" to describe speech which is difficult to understand. I'm looking for a better term for this, as "garbled" just sounds strange to me.

I've used "disorganized", "difficult to understand" ... I just don't feel that gets the point across, as the point is the speech is both disorganized and difficult to understand.

• + Add a Comment

UM Review RN, ASN, RN

1 Article; 5,163 Posts

Garbled speech comes from an otherwise a/o patient, who is unable to say the correct word. This patient will often be angry and frustrated because they know the word, but it's not coming out correctly. Speech can be clear.

Ex, (Patient trying to get help for the bathroom): "I shoe the box."

Dysarthria is an inability to speak clearly. It's not mumbling, it's being able to say the right words, but the words just don't come out sounding right. I usually see this in a severe stroke patient with facial paralysis and drooping of one side of the mouth. Again, you can see that it's a matter of being unable to form the syllables due to some physical limitation, rather than a cognitive problem.

Disorganized speech is usually the province of the psych (or dementia) patient. They'll ramble on about unrelated topics when you ask them a question.

We also use "inappropriate," "incomprehensible" or "confused" on our assessment sheets.

That is very helpful, thank you.

I guess I just dislike the term because it has negative connotations to me. It sounds like a judgment in a way, yk?

2,999 Posts

The speech therapist at my last assignment had a sheet posted listing not only descriptions of speech itself, but that of abnormal speech patterns. (this was a neuro unit) It was soooo helpful. Maybe your ST can give you something similar to use as a resource.

I kid you not... I couldn't think of any other way to describe it (no, I didn't chart elmer fudd lol... but it was tempting). I ended up googling 'elmer fudd speech impediment' (or something like that) and found out there IS a designation for that type of speech and pattern. (rhotacism)

BBFRN, BSN, PhD

3,779 Posts

Emmanuel Goldstein said: I ended up googling 'elmer fudd speech impediment' (or something like that) and found out there IS a designation for that type of speech and pattern. (rhotacism)

Baptized_By_Fire said: How ironic that the term begins with "r."

OK, I couldn't resist. Check this out:

http://www.rinkworks.com/dialect/dialectp.cgi?dialect=fudd&url=http%3A%2F%2Fallnurses.com%2Fforums%2Finfo.php

Angie O said: OK, I couldn't resist. Check this out: http://www.rinkworks.com/dialect/dialectp.cgi?dialect=fudd&url=http%3A%2F%2Fallnurses.com%2Fforums%2Finfo.php

Yes! That's exactly how she talked.

(btw, they found no physical reason for the sudden speech change; they determined it was a psych issue)

That's a great idea, to have a list of descriptive terms. I'm on a medical/tele floor and we see stroke pts a lot, so such a list would be very helpful.

NursingAgainstdaOdds said: That's a great idea, to have a list of descriptive terms. I'm on a medical/tele floor and we see stroke pts a lot, so such a list would be very helpful.

Cool. You could also check with your ST for a cheat sheet. They love to teach ?

11,191 Posts

don't you mean "wotacism"?

someone else said it.

Emmanuel Goldstein said: Twue.

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Meaning of garbled in English

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• all of a doodah idiom
• all over the place idiom
• alphabet soup
• at sea idiom
• discombobulation
• disorganization
• muddle something up
• unaccountably
• unexplainable
• unexplained
• unsearchable
• unsystematized

garbled | Intermediate English

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balancing act

a difficult situation in which someone has to try to give equal amounts of importance, time, attention, etc. to two or more different things at the same time

Binding, nailing, and gluing: talking about fastening things together

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