Speech problems

[Libra7]

I was diagnosed with SCA 6 8 years ago but my first symptom started about 4 years before that when I noticed that I was slurring a bit and sometimes had difficulty pronouncing words. ( My GP at the time dismissed this and I think he put me down as a hypochondriac!)

After 12 years I sometimes explain to people that I have trouble with my speech and often people say they haven’t noticed it but of course I am aware of my difficulty. About 7 years ago I I started a programme of self help.

I did have a few sessions with a speech therapist but didn’t find it particularly helpful. The reason I I believe I have been able to delay the progression is my reciting of tongue twisters three or four times a week. I do this using some I have downloaded from the web..

I found the best set of tongue twisters on the following web site. Quite a marathon to recite them all in one go so I do half one day and the other half the next.

davidpbrown,co.uk/tongue twisters

Hope some people find this helpful.

[wobblybee]

😂I’ve just tried some of the tongue twisters on the site you mentioned..I need a lot of practice.

I’m Idiopathic…and my speech is deteriorating. My husband often doesn’t hear me speak (he has variable tinnitus)..and just says speak up. But..It’s hard to regulate ‘volume’…so sometimes I end up shouting and emphasising when I speak to him.

[rsims42]

Thank you, like you I notice my slurring and whilst I have to repeat myself sometimes to my friends I am much more conscious than they are (or at least that's what they say 😀)

I was diagnosed 3 years ago, although realised something was "off" for some years before so a diagnosis, even if it is still idiopathic, was something of a relief (validation?)

I know that deteriorating speech is inevitable for me but want to do what I can to delay for as long as possible the time when I can't be understood without difficulty.

I have also had some sessions with a speech therapist but I will find these tongue twister exercises easier to stick to on a regular basis, you're a star ✨

[ExiledScot]

I will try the tongue twisters you recommend and I may well be ahead of the Speech therapist when I finally get top of the waiting list. My speech is deteriorating since my diagnosis (although my husband and friends say they don't notice, but I know it is). So will try the tongue twisters , when I'm on my own at first!!Thanks for the tip and good wishes to you for the future.

[chelpet]

What I also find helpful is dealing with (some of) my self-consciousness about my slurred speech. I find mindfulness meditation extremely helpful for this approach.

[PatsyIpswich]

Thank you 😊