4. Lyme Disease
Lyme disease is most often associated with ticks, but the condition is not always caused by a camping trip. Lyme disease is a spirochetal infection that affects the motor and nervous symptoms. It may carry many other symptoms aside from Dysarthria, but slurred or distorted speech may be one of the signs.
Unlike cerebral palsy, Lyme disease tends to strike those who already have developed speech, and the effect on one’s ability to talk is more noticeable and can be reversed or corrected because it does not affect development.
However, very young children to contract Lyme disease may have Dysarthria that may have more of a permanent effect on speech. With the treatment of Lyme disease, speech should improve and may return to its former level. It is important to keep in mind when camping to wear insect repellent and try to wear long trousers and shirts.