What is Motor Neurone Disease?

Motor Neurone Disease (MND) is a progressive neurodegenerative disease that attacks the upper and lower motor neurones. Degeneration of the motor neurones leads to weakness and wasting of muscles, causing increasing loss of mobility in the limbs, and difficulties with speech, swallowing and breathing.

Speech and Language Therapy and MND

MND can cause communication difficulties (such as dysarthria) and difficulties eating/drinking (known as dysphagia).

Click here for further information on Dysphagia

Click here for further information on Dysarthria

The speech and language therapist helps a person with MND as their speech and swallow alters over the course of the illness. This involves assessing the person's communication and swallow in order to provide the necessary advice and support. This may include suggesting modified diet and fluids and/or assessing a person for a communication aid.

At York Hospital, the Speech and Language therapist works as part of a multidisciplinary team caring for people with MND.

Further information regarding MND and Speech and Language Therapy can be found atwww.mndassociation.org

To return to the Speech and Language Therapy home page click here.