Cerebral Palsy & Motor Speech Therapy
Individualized motor-speech and AAC support for people with cerebral palsy, across the lifespan.
How It Shows
Signs Someone May Benefit From a Motor-Speech Assessment
Speech and communication needs connected to cerebral palsy look different for each person. A motor-speech assessment can help clarify what's happening and what might help. The following may be worth discussing with an SLP:
- Speech that sounds slow, imprecise, quiet, strained or effortful
- Difficulty coordinating breathing, voice and speech
- Differences in speech rhythm, pitch or loudness
- Speech that is easier for familiar people to understand
- Speech clarity that varies with fatigue, positioning, health or communication demands
- Difficulty producing speech movements consistently
- Reliance on gestures, signs, writing or AAC to supplement speech
- Difficulty preventing or repairing communication breakdowns
The Mechanics
Cerebral Palsy and Motor-Speech Disorders
Cerebral palsy and motor-speech disorders are closely connected, but they aren't the same thing. Here's how each affects communication.
Cerebral Palsy
Cerebral palsy affects coordination and control of movement, including posture, breathing, voice and speech. Presentation varies by person.
Posture and breathing
Cerebral palsy may affect the muscle control needed to support speech.
Voice and resonance
Voice may sound strained, quiet or breathy depending on presentation.
Movement varies by person
No two people with cerebral palsy have the same speech profile.
Not about cognition
Speech clarity and physical movement should not be used to make assumptions about a person's intelligence or understanding. Some people with cerebral palsy may also have language, cognitive, sensory, or learning differences, which should be considered individually during assessment.
Real Voice
AAC for Cerebral Palsy
AAC may supplement speech or provide a person's primary and most reliable way to communicate. Depending on the client's needs, Aria may explore low-tech supports and selected tablet-based AAC applications available on our devices.
Aria does not currently provide specialized eye-gaze or switch-access assessment. Referral to another specialized AAC service may be recommended when alternative access or more extensive equipment trials are required.
- AAC is considered alongside speech goals, not instead of them.
- Communication through AAC, gesture, or sign is genuine, complete communication.
- Aria offers low-tech supports and selected tablet-based AAC applications.
- AAC may be a person's primary communication method, for any length of time.
- Introducing AAC does not signal that speech therapy has stopped working.
Treatment Methods
Approaches We Draw From
Treatment may draw from several approaches, selected by the SLP based on each person's profile, goals and response to cueing.
PROMPT-informed techniques
PROMPT-informed techniques may be available depending on the assigned clinician's training and availability.
Kaufman Speech to Language
Kaufman Speech to Language Protocol treatment resources may be incorporated for appropriate pediatric clients to help shape functional word approximations and progressively more complex speech movements.
Oral-placement principles
Oral-placement principles may be considered when a client requires additional tactile or proprioceptive information to establish speech-related placement and movement.
Tactile cueing and consent
Tactile cueing is used only when clinically appropriate and with informed consent and the client's ongoing assent. Clients may decline or withdraw permission for touch at any time, and other cueing methods may be used.
How We Work
Our Motor-Speech Approach
Motor-speech therapy is individualized according to the client's speech profile, functional communication needs and goals. Sessions may combine structured motor practice, meaningful words and phrases, everyday communication activities, AAC and communication-partner coaching.
Motor speech is considered within the person's broader communication profile. Where relevant, the SLP may also consider language, cognitive-communication, AAC, and participation needs or recommend another appropriate service.
Possible components may include:
- Supporting coordination among breathing, voice and speech when clinically appropriate
- Practising speech movements, sounds, words or phrases selected for functional relevance
- Using auditory, visual and, when appropriate and consented to, tactile cues
- Developing strategies for preventing or repairing communication breakdowns
- Introducing or expanding AAC alongside spoken communication
- Coaching family members and other communication partners
- Supporting participation at home, school, work and in the community
First Visit
What Happens During the Assessment
Learn more about how cerebral palsy may be affecting speech and communication through an individualized SLP assessment.
01
Background and Priorities
We discuss relevant medical and developmental history, current communication methods, concerns, strengths and meaningful goals.
02
Motor-Speech Observation
The SLP observes relevant aspects of posture, breathing, voice, resonance, articulation, speech movement and speech rhythm.
03
Functional Communication
We observe how the person communicates during meaningful activities and with familiar communication partners.
04
Speech and Communication Samples
The SLP gathers samples across relevant sounds, words, phrases, sentences or conversations and considers the person's use of AAC.
05
Standardized or Structured Assessment
When appropriate, the SLP may use standardized or structured motor-speech assessment activities. DEMSS is available for clinically appropriate pediatric referrals.
We may ask about feeding or swallowing as part of the health history. If concerns are reported or observed, we may recommend consultation with a physician or appropriately qualified feeding and swallowing professional. Feeding and swallowing assessment is not currently offered by Aria.
All initial assessments, diagnoses, and treatment plans are completed by an SLP.
Real Growth
Possible Areas of Progress
Progress differs for every person and cannot be guaranteed. Goals may focus on speech, communication strategies, AAC, participation, or a combination of these areas.
- Improved speech intelligibility when this is an appropriate and meaningful goal
- Improved coordination among breathing, voice and speech
- Development of individualized motor-speech skills
- More reliable use of AAC or other communication strategies
- More effective strategies for repairing communication breakdowns
- More efficient communication of messages
- Greater participation at home, school, work or in the community
- Increased support and understanding from communication partners
Our Team
Why Families Choose Aria Integrated Care
Services are provided by registered speech-language pathologists and, when appropriate, speech-language pathology assistants working under SLP direction and supervision. Referrals are matched according to the clinician's training, competence, location, and availability.
Family-centred care
Support built around the person and the people who communicate with them.
Collaborative care
With consent, our clinicians may collaborate with occupational therapists, physiotherapists, physicians, educators, and other members of the client's care team when appropriate
AAC considered alongside speech
AAC is explored when it may improve communication access.
Practical, everyday strategies
Strategies that can be used across everyday routines and environments.
BC-wide teletherapy
Virtual sessions across all of BC, when clinically appropriate.
Where We Serve
Motor-Speech Support Across Greater Vancouver and BC
Motor-speech needs may continue across the lifespan. Services are available to children, adolescents, and adults when the referral falls within the clinician's competence and current availability.
In-home services
Available across Greater Vancouver, subject to clinician availability and clinical fit. In-home services allow assessment and therapy to occur within a familiar environment. This can reduce travel demands and help the clinician consider communication during everyday activities. With consent, the SLP may collaborate with occupational therapists, physiotherapists, and other professionals regarding positioning, motor access, and communication participation.
Virtual services
Available across BC when clinically appropriate. Sessions may include motor-speech practice, AAC support and coaching, based on the client's goals and access needs.
Booking, Referrals, and Reports
Clients and families may contact Aria directly for a consultation or SLP assessment. Depending on the person's health history, funding requirements, or clinical presentation, the SLP may request additional medical information or recommend consultation with another professional.
All initial assessments, diagnoses, treatment plans, and clinical recommendations are completed by a registered speech-language pathologist. Following assessment, an SLPA may provide selected treatment activities when the SLP determines that delegation is appropriate. The SLP remains responsible for direction, supervision, progress review, and changes to the treatment plan.
Written assessment reports are available when needed. Report preparation is billed separately according to the SLP's applicable professional rate and the time required. Fees will be discussed in advance.
Common Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
Direct answers to common questions about cerebral palsy, motor-speech therapy, AAC, and how Aria's services work.
01 How can cerebral palsy affect speech?
Cerebral palsy may affect the coordination and control involved in posture, breathing, voice, and speech movements in different combinations for each person.
02Does cerebral palsy always affect speech?
No. Cerebral palsy affects speech for some people but not everyone. It depends on which systems and neural pathways are involved. An SLP assessment can clarify a person's specific profile.
03What is dysarthria?
Dysarthria is a motor-speech disorder affecting the strength, speed, range, tone, steadiness, or coordination of speech movements. Presentation varies considerably from person to person.
04What is the difference between dysarthria and childhood apraxia of speech?
Dysarthria involves difficulty executing speech movements, often related to muscle tone or coordination. Apraxia involves difficulty planning and programming those movements. An SLP assessment distinguishes between them.
05What happens during a motor-speech assessment?
The SLP reviews history and goals, observes posture, breathing, voice and speech movement, and gathers speech and communication samples across relevant contexts.
06 Does every assessment include DEMSS?
No. DEMSS is a standardized pediatric motor-speech tool used when clinically appropriate. It is not used with every child and is not used for adult assessments.
07Can therapy help someone who uses little or no spoken language?
Yes. Therapy can support spoken speech, AAC, or both together, depending on the person's profile and communication goals.
08Does AAC prevent spoken speech?
No. AAC is used alongside speech development, not instead of it. It provides a reliable communication method whether or not spoken speech also develops.
09Does Aria provide eye-gaze or switch-access assessment?
No. Aria does not currently provide specialized eye-gaze or switch-access assessment. Referral to a specialized AAC service may be recommended when needed.
10Does Aria provide feeding or swallowing therapy?
Aria does not currently provide feeding or swallowing assessment or treatment. We may ask about these areas as part of the health history and recommend an appropriate referral when concerns are identified.
11Can adolescents and adults with cerebral palsy receive services?
Yes. Services are available to children, adolescents and adults, depending on clinical fit and clinician availability.
12Is virtual motor-speech therapy available?
Yes, when clinically appropriate. Virtual sessions may include motor-speech practice, AAC support, and communication-partner coaching, delivered across British Columbia.
13Who completes the initial assessment?
All initial assessments, diagnoses and treatment plans are completed by a registered Speech-Language Pathologist.
14When might an SLPA provide treatment?
An SLPA may provide selected treatment activities after SLP assessment, when the SLP determines delegation is clinically appropriate. The SLP retains oversight throughout.
15Is a physician's referral required?
No. Clients and families may contact Aria directly. The SLP may request medical information later if clinically or administratively needed.
16Are written reports included in the assessment fee?
No. Written reports are available when needed and billed separately based on the SLP's professional rate and time required.
17Does Aria offer PROMPT-informed treatment?
PROMPT-informed techniques may be available depending on the assigned clinician's training and availability. PROMPT is not appropriate for every client, and the approach is selected following an SLP assessment.
18What motor-speech approaches might be used?
Depending on the client's needs and the clinician's training, therapy may draw from motor-based speech practice, PROMPT-informed techniques, Kaufman Speech to Language Protocol resources, oral-placement principles, AAC and communication-partner coaching.
Communication Support Built Around the Individual
Support built around the person, not a single method. Book a free 15-20-minute consultation to talk about what might help.