Praxis SLP Licensure Exam 2025 – 400 Free Practice Questions to Pass the Exam

Spastic dysarthria is primarily characterized by a combination of muscle stiffness and reduced movement in the speech mechanism due to damage in specific areas of the brain, typically the upper motor neurons. Each of the listed characteristics plays a significant role in the presentation of this speech disorder.

Hypernasality can occur due to the involvement of the soft palate, which may not function optimally to close off the nasal cavity during speech, resulting in an overly nasal quality to the voice.

Strained voice quality is a hallmark of spastic dysarthria, as the increased muscle tone often leads to a voice that sounds tight or effortful. This strained quality is due to the excessive tension in the vocal cords and other articulatory muscles.

A slow speech rate is also characteristic of spastic dysarthria, as individuals may struggle with motor control, leading to difficulty in the rapid coordination of speech movements. This can cause speech to be drawn out and focused more on clarity rather than fluidity.

Together, these symptoms collectively manifest in individuals with spastic dysarthria, making the option that includes all of these characteristics accurate, as they are integral to understanding the nature of this speech disorder.