Which feature may manifest as short phrases in spastic dysarthria?

• A. Consistent phonation and melodic speech patterns
• B. Monopitch and reduced stress
• C. Spontaneous speech with varied tempo
• D. Extended vocalizations with strong inflections

Answer: (B)

In spastic dysarthria, one observable feature is the presence of short phrases during speech. This occurs primarily due to the combination of muscle stiffness and weakness that is characteristic of the condition. Individuals with spastic dysarthria often struggle with the coordination and control of their speech muscles, leading to reduced respiratory support and quick fatigue during speech production. As a result, they tend to produce shorter utterances to manage these physical challenges effectively.

The correct choice highlights two additional aspects: monopitch and reduced stress, which are common in spastic dysarthria. Monopitch refers to the lack of variation in pitch, contributing to a monotonous voice quality. Reduced stress means that the emphasis typically placed on certain words or syllables is diminished, further impacting the naturalness and expressiveness of speech.

The other options present features less characteristic of spastic dysarthria. For instance, consistent phonation and melodic speech patterns do not align with the disordered characteristics of this condition, as individuals typically do not exhibit smooth, varying melodies in their speech. Spontaneous speech with varied tempo suggests a level of fluency and control that is not usually present, and extended vocalizations with strong inflections imply a greater degree of speech muscle coordination and expressiveness,