Do prolonged phonemes occur in ataxic dysarthria?

Prolonged phonemes can indeed occur in ataxic dysarthria. Ataxic dysarthria is characterized by a lack of coordination and control over the speech muscles, resulting in uneven and imprecise speech production. This can manifest in various ways, including the prolongation of sounds, as the individual's ability to control timing and rhythm is compromised.

These prolonged phonemes can be attributed to the disruptions in the coordination of the articulators, which may lead to variations in the duration of speech sounds. Additionally, the irregularities in speech rate and prosody often associated with this type of dysarthria contribute to the phenomenon of phoneme prolongation.

In this context, it's important to note that the characteristics of ataxic dysarthria can vary among individuals, but the potential for prolonged phonemes is a recognized feature of the disorder. Other potential manifestations might include a scanning speech pattern, slurred or slowed articulation, and fluctuating voice intensity, all of which correlate with the underlying coordination issues.