Newcastle Dysarthria Assessment Tool (NDAT)

The Newcastle Dysarthria Assessment Tool (NDAT) is a comprehensive evaluation tool designed to assess the presence and severity of dysarthria, a motor speech disorder.

This tool evaluates various speech subsystems including respiration, phonation, articulation, and resonance.

Here is a sample of a basic format for the NDAT:

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Newcastle Dysarthria Assessment Tool (NDAT)

Patient Information

• Nom:
• Date:
• Age:
• Gender:
• Examiner:

Sections and Scoring

1. Respiration

• Observation of Breathing Patterns: Assess the patient’s breathing at rest and during speech.
  • Normal (0 points)
  • Mild impairment (1 point)
  • Moderate impairment (2 points)
  • Severe impairment (3 points)
• Maximum Phonation Time: Measure the duration the patient can sustain a vowel sound.
  • Normal (> 15 seconds) (0 points)
  • Mild impairment (10-15 seconds) (1 point)
  • Moderate impairment (5-9 seconds) (2 points)
  • Severe impairment (< 5 seconds) (3 points)

2. Phonation

• Voice Quality: Assess the quality of the patient’s voice (e.g., breathy, hoarse).
  • Normal (0 points)
  • Mild impairment (1 point)
  • Moderate impairment (2 points)
  • Severe impairment (3 points)
• Pitch Control: Evaluate the ability to vary pitch appropriately.
  • Normal (0 points)
  • Mild impairment (1 point)
  • Moderate impairment (2 points)
  • Severe impairment (3 points)

3. Articulation

• Consonant Precision: Assess the accuracy of consonant production.
  • Normal (0 points)
  • Mild impairment (1 point)
  • Moderate impairment (2 points)
  • Severe impairment (3 points)
• Vowel Clarity: Evaluate the clarity of vowel sounds.
  • Normal (0 points)
  • Mild impairment (1 point)
  • Moderate impairment (2 points)
  • Severe impairment (3 points)

4. Resonance

• Nasal Resonance: Assess the presence of hypernasality or hyponasality.
  • Normal (0 points)
  • Mild impairment (1 point)
  • Moderate impairment (2 points)
  • Severe impairment (3 points)
• Oral Resonance: Evaluate the overall oral resonance.
  • Normal (0 points)
  • Mild impairment (1 point)
  • Moderate impairment (2 points)
  • Severe impairment (3 points)

Total Score Calculation

Subsystem	Observation	Score
Respiration	Breathing Patterns
	Maximum Phonation Time
Phonation	Voice Quality
	Pitch Control
Articulation	Consonant Precision
	Vowel Clarity
Resonance	Nasal Resonance
	Oral Resonance
Total Score

Severity Interpretation

• 0 – 4: Normal
• 5 – 8: Mild Dysarthria
• 9 – 12: Moderate Dysarthria
• 13 and above: Severe Dysarthria

Comments and Recommendations

• Observation Summary:
• Recommended Interventions:
  • Speech therapy focusing on respiration, phonation, articulation, or resonance as indicated.
  • Use of assistive communication devices if necessary.
  • Regular monitoring and reassessment.

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Note: This assessment tool is for educational purposes only and should not be used as a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always consult with qualified healthcare providers for accurate assessments and appropriate care plans.

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The NDAT helps clinicians systematically evaluate and document the severity of dysarthria, guiding targeted intervention and management.