SUBJEKTIVNI DOŽIVLJAJ KOMUNIKACIONIH TEŠKOĆA ODRASLIH SOBA SA FLACIDNOM DIZARTRIJOM
SELF-REPORT OF COMMUNICATIVE IMPAIRMENT IN ADULTS WITH FLACCID DYSARTHRIA

Summary/Abstract: The aim of the research was to evaluate the degree of communicative impairment of adults with flaccid dysarthria in different communication situations. The sample included 30 participants aged from 36 to 87 years (Mean = 66.47), with male to female ratio of 56.70%:43.30%. VHI (Voice Handicap Index) scale is used to estimate the impact of voice disorder to the quality of communication. Specific communication situations which were challenging for people with flaccid dysarthria were determined, as well as the extent to which difficulties occur. Higher average composite scores on the scale, as well as individual scores on the subscales, indicate a higher degree of communication impairment. The results showed that adults with flaccid dysarthria have an average score (Mean=45.07) on the overall scale, which indicates a moderate degree of experienced communication impairment, while scores on individual subscales (physical: Mean=17.53; functional: Mean=16.37; emotional: Mean=11.17) indicate a moderate degree of impairment that participants have due to voice disorders, in specific domains that influence communication. People with flaccid dysarthria can have considerable level of physical changes in voice and speech. However, results of communication quality self-report showed that they do not experience severe impairment in communication. That emphasize the importance of combining objective and subjective methods of voice and speech assessment in people with speech and voice disorders.

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