Apraxia is a motor planning problem which affects the ability to formulate the sounds of speech.
Dysarthria is a weakness or paralysis of the muscles used for speech and results in a person's speech being slurred and difficult to understand. Speech therapy is very important and usually begins within 24 hours of a person with a stroke being hospitalized. With evidence of progress, individual or group therapy may continue for one to two years after the accident. It is important to remember that a stroke has not impaired the person's intelligence. The speech pathologist will work closely with the family to help them help their loved one.