Ataxic dysarthria is one of several types of dysarthria. “Dysarthria is a group of motor speech disorders resulting from a disorder of muscular control of the speech mechanism due to damage to the peripheral or central nervous system” (Hedge, 2001, p. 198). Specifically, ataxic dysarthria is a disorder that affects the control of speech production due to damage to the cerebellum or the neural pathways that connect the cerebellum to other parts of the central nervous system. McNeil (1997), states that an individual with ataxic dysarthria will have “drunken speech” that results from the particular vulnerability of the cerebellum (p. 217). The cerebellum may only account for ten percent of the brain's volume, but it contains over fifty percent of the brain's total number of neurons, meaning that any damage to it can affect an individual's motor speech. The cerebellum is responsible for the coordination of movement and the processing of sensory information. According to Knierim (1997), the cerebellum coordinates the timing and strength of muscle contractions so that any skilled or voluntary movement can be appropriate for an intended task. It also processes sensory information from across the body and assimilates it into the execution of a movement. Above all, the cerebellum does not give any motor commands; it only modifies the movements that are commanded. There are many different things that can cause ataxic dysarthria. For example, any type of head trauma or vascular injury such as an aneurysm, arterial venous malformation, or hemorrhage in the brainstem or midbrain can cause damage to the cerebellum that ultimately leads to ataxic dysarthria. Even degenerative diseases such as multiple sclerosis, Friedreich's... middle of paper... will most likely be different. No matter what the outcome, the person's likelihood of communicating with others increases and, ultimately, the quality of life will increase as well. Works Cited Hegde, M. N. (2001). Pocket guide to evaluation in speech therapy. (2nd ed., pp. 198-215). San Diego, CA: Singular Thomson Learning.Hegde, MN (2001). Pocket guide to speech therapy treatment. (2nd ed., pp. 193-203). San Diego, CA: Singular Thomson Learning.Knierim, J. (1997). Neuroscience Online; an electronic textbook for neuroscience. Retrieved from http://neuroscience.uth.tmc.edu/s3/chapter05.htmlMcNeil, M. (1997). Clinical management of sensorimotor speech disorders. (pp. 217-243). Stuttgart, New York: Thieme.Winitz, H. (1984). Treatment of joint disorders for doctors by doctors. (pp. 263-286). Austin, Texas: Proed.