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Speech Therapy for Spinocerebellar Ataxia

Poor muscle control that results in clumsy involuntary movements is called Ataxia.<br><br>SCA refers to a group of ataxias that are<br>Hereditary (caused by either a recessive or dominant gene)<br>Known to cause harm to the cerebellum<br><br>There are 40 types of SCA discovered so far. Each type is named SCA1, SCA2, and so on. <br>The numbers indicate the order in which they were discovered.<br><br>SCA3 is the most common type.

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Speech Therapy for Spinocerebellar Ataxia

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  1. What is Spinocerebellar Ataxia or SCA? Poor muscle control that results in clumsy involuntary movements is called Ataxia. SCA refers to a group of ataxias that are • Hereditary (caused by either a recessive or dominant gene) • Known to cause harm to the cerebellum There are 40 types of SCA discovered so far. Each type is named SCA1, SCA2, and so on. The numbers indicate the order in which they were discovered. SCA3 is the most common type.

  2. Damage to the cerebellum can lead to: • Uncoordinated movements and gait • Impaired hand-eye coordination • Abnormal speech

  3. Causes of Ataxia • Stroke • Cerebral palsy • Autoimmune diseases • Vitamin deficiency • Side effects of medication • Alcoholism • Genetic factors • Viral infections • Head trauma

  4. Symptoms of SCA • Slurred speech • Poor coordination of movement • Inability to perform basic fine motor movements • Dysphagia (difficulty in swallowing) • Unsteady gait • Tendency to trip • Rapid back-and-forth eye movements

  5. Speech-related symptoms of SCA • Brain damage disrupts the nerve signals to the mouth and neck muscles. This can cause the following speech-related conditions.

  6. Dysarthria • Difficulty in speaking • Caused by weak muscles in the face, mouth, and throat

  7. Dysphagia • Chewing and swallowing impairment • Caused by weak muscles in the face, mouth, and throat

  8. How does speech therapy help in SCA? Speech therapy helps improve the patient’s speech and verbal communication (dysarthria). Additionally, it also helps ease swallowing troubles (dysphagia). Both these symptoms can manifest together. Therefore it is important that your speech therapist designs a programme that helps manage both.

  9. Why is speech therapy important? • SCA affects the upper and lower motor neurons. This leads to difficulties in breathing, chewing, swallowing, talking, and even smiling! And this is why speech therapy is essential for the management of SCA. An effective speech therapy plan will - • Employ breathing techniques • Improve speech and communication • Use word games to better language processing skills • Correct posture and improves eye-contact for effective communication • Improve control of muscles in mouth, jaw, tongue, and throat • Improve swallowing reflex and supports safe-swallowing with specific exercises

  10. Speech therapy at Plexus Our speech therapist will support you with a programme that involves the following: • Swallowing techniques • Articulation techniques • Pronunciation exercises • Assistive communication devices • Oral musculature strengthening exercises Plexus’ rehabilitation programme for SCA also features physiotherapy, occupational therapy and stem cell therapy.

  11. Speech therapy at Plexus To know more about speech therapy for SCA at Plexus, reach out to us on the below numbers. WhatsApp +91 89048 42087 Call +91 78159 64668 (Hyderabad) | +91 82299 99888 (Bangalore)

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