Cerebral palsy (CP) impacts more than just movement—it can also affect speech and communication. Approximately 50% of children with cerebral palsy experience communication challenges, often due to a condition known as dysarthria. This motor speech disorder affects the muscles needed for speaking, making it difficult for children to control their mouth, face, and respiratory muscles.
Children with dysarthria may experience shallow or irregular breathing while speaking, struggle with speech clarity, and have a low-pitched voice, which can result in speech that is slower with little pitch variation.
Since cerebral palsy can affect both the brain and muscles involved in speech, many children with CP benefit from speech therapy. A speech therapist works with your child to improve communication skills and manage any related challenges, such as swallowing difficulties or drooling.
Therapists focus on gradually improving your child’s ability to form words and speak clearly. If verbal speech isn’t possible, they can introduce alternative communication methods like AAC (augmentative and alternative communication) devices or sign language. Over time, speech therapy can help your child develop greater control over their speech muscles, enhancing their communication and quality of life.
Research continues to show the effectiveness of speech therapy for children with cerebral palsy. A study published in Developmental Medicine & Child Neurology explored the impact of intensive speech therapy on older children with CP. The results were promising — intensive therapy focusing on breathing, speech rate, and phonatory effort significantly improved children’s speech clarity. Even better, these improvements were maintained six weeks after therapy ended.
One specific method known as PROMPT (Prompts for Restructuring Oral and Muscular Phonetic Targets) has shown great success for children with motor speech impairments, including those with CP. A 2012 study from Curtin University found that children receiving PROMPT therapy exhibited notable improvements in their speech movement patterns, accuracy, and intelligibility. Even 12 weeks after the therapy ended, the children continued to show progress — proof that PROMPT can have lasting positive effects.
As every child with cerebral palsy is unique, research is ongoing to refine speech therapy treatments. For example, Anja Kuschmann at the University of Strathclyde is studying how factors like breathing and intonation (prosody) affect speech in children with CP. This research could pave the way for more customized treatments that address each child’s specific communication challenges. Properly classifying your child’s condition helps guide the most effective treatment strategies. Talk to your child’s care team about how their CP is classified to ensure they receive the best possible care.
At NAPA Center, we offer both weekly and intensive speech therapy for children with cerebral palsy. Founded by a mother seeking the best therapies for her son, NAPA is now a leader in pediatric therapy, combining innovative tools and methods from around the world. We believe in creating customized therapy programs to meet the unique needs of every child and family. Contact us today to learn more and discover how NAPA can help your child or loved one.
