Debra Kasirer studied speech pathology and audiology at UCLA. Common speech disorders in adults include dysarthria which affects facial and mouth muscles from conditions like stroke, muscular dystrophy or cerebral palsy causing weak or slow muscles. Apraxia damages brain areas for speech so individuals know what they want to say but struggle with words or pronunciation. Vocal disorders have causes like nodules, polyps, cancer, irritants or heavy voice use and cause hoarseness, paralysis or abnormal vocal fold movement.

1. Common Speech
Disorders in Adults
DEBRA KASIRER

2. Common Speech Disorders in Adults
Debra Kasirer, a resident of Beverly Hills, California, studied speech pathology and audiology at
the University of California, Los Angeles. While she has ultimately directed her efforts into
philanthropy and community leadership, Debra Kasirer is a trained speech therapist.

3. Common Speech Disorders in Adults
Speech impairment in adulthood may develop gradually or happen suddenly. It has the effect of
making vocal communication difficult. The following are some common speech disorders among
adults.

4. Common Speech Disorders in Adults
1. Dysarthria is a motor speech disorder that affects the muscles of the face, mouth, and
respiratory system. The disorder may result from stroke, muscular dystrophy, or cerebral palsy. It
may cause the muscles to become weak or move slowly.

5. Common Speech Disorders in Adults
2. Another motor speech disorder is apraxia, which damages areas of the brain that are involved
in speech. Individuals with apraxia may know what they want to say but struggle to produce the
words or pronounce them correctly.

6. Common Speech Disorders in Adults
3. Vocal disorders and disturbances may have causes as varied as nodules, polyps, throat cancer,
exposure to irritants, and heavy use of the voice. They include hoarseness, vocal cord paralysis
and paradoxical vocal fold movement.