Speech therapists can identify the most effective methods of communication for patients who have aphasia, dysarthria, or verbal apraxia or who have had a laryngectomy:

• Expressive aphasia: A letter or picture board
• Mild to moderate dysarthria or apraxia: Breathing and muscle control plus repetition exercises
• Severe dysarthria or apraxia: An electronic device with a keyboard and message display (print or screen)
• Postlaryngectomy: A new way to produce a voice (eg, by an electrolarynx—see Tumors of the Head and Neck: Rehabilitation)

Last full review/revision February 2009 by Mathew H. M. Lee, MD; Alex Moroz, MD, FACP

Content last modified October 2010