What is a primary characteristic of dysarthria?

Dysarthria is primarily characterized by difficulty forming words and slurred speech due to muscle weakness or lack of coordination in the speech mechanism. This condition arises from neurological disorders that affect the muscles involved in speaking. Individuals with dysarthria may know what they want to say but struggle to articulate their thoughts, resulting in speech that can be unclear or distorted.

The other options represent different types of communication challenges. Difficulty understanding spoken language is related to conditions such as receptive aphasia, while complete loss of speech, known as aphasia or anarthria, indicates a more severe impairment in speech production. Inability to read or write does not specifically relate to speech production and is often linked to literacy issues or specific language disorders. Thus, the nuances of dysarthria are best captured by difficulties with articulation and clarity in speech production.