What does dysarthria mean?

This term refers to a disorder affecting the motor function of speech. The ability to pronounce words and sounds is impaired, although there are no difficulties finding the right words (a disorder of articulation without word-finding difficulties). In ALS, there may be a slow progression from mild dysarthria (a slight “slurring” of sounds and spoken words) to severe dysarthria (where the spoken words are no longer intelligible to an outsider). The loss of the ability to speak is referred to as “anarthria.”