Ataxic Dysarthria

      Everythingspeech.com strides to create a rich learning environment for speech-language pathologists and other professionals seeking to increase their knowledge of communication disorders. One has the ability to view evaluation tools of articulation, aphasia, apraxia, cranial nerve exam, dysphasia evaluation, and protocols. As well as, treatment of apraxia, articulation, and dysarthria. This information is posted by the administration of the website, which frequently sources the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association, as well as peer-reviewed journals. Each page also includes ads by Google regarding information that may ambiguously relate to the topic. When critiquing this website, the integrity of the website may be uncertain, due to advertisements found at the top and along the sides of the website. This website is specialized for speech-language pathologist and other professionals, also offering concerned parents information and carry over activities for therapy in the home. Information is written at the appropriate level and may be critiqued as excellent. The administration explains and sources information of communication disorders in depth, allowing one to understand the etiology, symptoms, and treatment. Hyperlinks do lead to other, trusted, reputable sources that are advertised by Google, however vaguely relate to the topic and may not provide necessary information. For instance, when reading about dysarthria, one may link to MJHS, a home health care agency. One is able to create their own free login and profile to navigate information, however this is not required. The website offers a contact us page, where they welcome feedback, suggestions, and complaints. This website is reader and user-friendly.

2. Functioning of the Cerebellum

    Website: Buzzle: Cerebellum

    Link: http://www.buzzle.com/articles/cerebellum-function.html

    Rating of Information: Good for professionals

    Rating of Website Integrity: Good

      Buzzle.com may also be considered “intelligent life on the web.” This website provides information about a variety of topics, from which readers are able to choose their category of choice and read articles about the topic. Information found on this website may be posted by administration or by the general public. To become an author of an article on this website, one must apply and have their original, quality material submitted and approved by the administration before their article is posted. When searching an article, one is able to read a blurb about the author, including education, current status, and other articles written by them. The article about cerebellum function is written by a professional who has completed bachelors of science in microbiology. Thus information on this website is rated as good, as depending on the article, the authors are knowledgeable in the topic area. Information on this website is intended for professionals. Information is thorough and thought provoking. This website is reader and user-friendly. Hyperlinks included on this website refer readers to other articles that relate to the topic, as well as ads by Google. Ads by Google lead the reader to other sources, however the information of these sources relate vaguely to the topic of the article being read. For instance, when reading about the function of the cerebellum, one is able to link to a brain fitness-training center. Ads by Google appear at the top and sides of this website and there is a Google custom search bar at the top of this website, creating a good integrity rating. One is able to offer feedback about the article read, however there is not a contact link, phone number or email address to contact the website administration.

3. Treatment for Ataxic Dysarthria

    Website: Ygoy: Ataxic Dysarthria

    Link: http://www.ygoy.com/index.php/ataxia-treatment-of-ataxia

    Rating of Information: Good for general public

    Rating of Website Integrity: Poor

      Ygoy.com provides relevant and authentic information on health and lifestyle. This website is devoted to educate mankind and readers with a thirst for knowledge. On each category, a reader will find articles, tips, and content relevant to the topic. Categories are array of health and lifestyle updates. Information is written by an in-house team of writers. This website does not allow the general public to send in their own articles. The in-house team of writers takes extra care to provide relevant and authentic information that is credible, however there are no sources to verify the information on this website as excellent. This website is intended for the general public. It is useful and easily comprehensible information. Hyperlinks direct readers to pages that hold information about the topic however may be vague. For instance, on the article “Treatment of Ataxia” readers can link to ataxiatreat.com, which is informational, but can also link to youhavealawyer.com for cerebral palsy lawyers. This website is cluttered with advertisements, resulting in a poor integrity rating. Readers are able to leave a reply at the end of an article. Readers are also able to contact the administration by leaving a message and/or contacting administration via phone and mail. This website was useful, in that it described various treatments of ataxia to ease the symptoms and improve the quality of life in those people suffering from ataxia. Those with ataxic dysarthria may use these techniques to strengthen muscles used for speaking, breathing, and swallowing.

Reviews by Kate V.:

1.   Description, Etiology, and Treatment of Ataxic Dysarthria

Website Title: Pediatric Movement Disorders - Ataxia

Link: http://www.mdvu.org/library/pediatric/ataxia/

      Rating of Information: Good for the general public and medical professionals

      Rating of Website Integrity: Excellent

             This website was created by Dr. Terence Sanger, MD PhD.  He is a Neurologist at the Stanford School of Medicine.  This information was no obtained from the website, there was further research required in order to find out the authors credibility.  The website itself is an information site for medical professionals to gain information on movement disorders. 

            The information that was presented on the website was accurate and informative based on previous knowledge of Ataxic Dysarthria.  The website has information at the bottom that states that there was a great deal of researchers and doctors consulted when gathering information to put on the website.  The main author was Dr. Terence Sanger, MD PhD.

            After reading the information and looking at other aspects of the website it was concluded that the information on the site is geared toward professionals and some general public with some knowledge of the field.  The information was presented in a formal manner, which is what gives the impression that it’s not for everyone.

            There were links on the page that led to more information about the examination, mechanism, etiology, workup, and treatment of ataxic dysarthria.  All of the links go to another page within the site that has more information on the selected topic.  The information on all the internal links is valid and accurate.  The information presented is helpful to learn more about ataxic dysarthria and would be beneficial to a reader. 

            After searching around on the website it appears that there is not a way to contact the author or the administrator of the website.  This is a little strange because you would think that they would want people to be able to contact them with questions or information.  The website was powered by another website called WEMOVE, and once linked to that page there was a way to contact the administrators.  The website hadn’t been updated since 2008, while it’s unlikely that much of the information has change drastically it would have been better if the website was updated yearly.

2.  Support Group for Ataxia

     Website Title: Living with Ataxia - Ataxia and Speech

     Link: http://www.livingwithataxia.org/forum/topics/ataxia-and-speech

     Rating of Information: Excellent for the general public

     Rating of Website Integrity: Good

             This website is a forum that is used at an online support group for patients affected by Ataxia.  It allowed people to post their feelings and opinions about ataxia.  There was one particular post that was interesting.  It gave an in depth explanation of dysarthria and the various types of dysarthria’s that can occur.  The person who posted it doesn’t show any credentials in the medical field, and there wasn’t any information about where the poster obtained the information from.  It does say that she “found” the information, but it does not get any more specific than that. 

            The information that was posted was interesting and presented in an easy to read manner.  The information was accurate based on the previous knowledge on the topic.  The person who posted the information organized the material in a easy to understand way.  There were questions and then the answers to the questions.

            Based on the website and the way that the information was presented it seems like the information is intended for the general public and people who are affected by ataxia.  If a person was looking to the website for quick easy to understand information, they would definitely find it on this website. 

            In the posting that this is based off, there were no other hyperlinks.  There were some related items on the sides of the page as advertisements but when they were clicked on the information wasn’t relevant to what the search was. 

            The webpage is powered by another site called BensFriends.org, which is volunteer run by people who have been affected by ataxia. BensFriends.org is a program that is used to help families affected by rare diseases.  The organization developed this site as a way to help families cope with rare diseases, and it allows them to ask questions and get support from people who are in similar situations. 

            The powering website Bensfriends.org does take donations to help people suffering from rare disease.  100% of the donations are given to research in these areas.

3.   In-Depth Information Related to Ataxic Dysarthria

Website Title: Encyclopedia.com

Link: http://www.encyclopedia.com/topic/Dysarthria.aspx

      Rating of Information: Excellent for the general public

      Rating of Website Integrity: Excellent

              The website being described contains high quality information.  The information is from the Gale Encyclopedia of Neurological Disorders | 2005 | Dworkin, James.  The site provides information on various topics in depth and easy to understand.  The website allows free access to information that would otherwise be difficult to obtain.  It was named “The Best Online Reference Service” by CODiE.

            The site’s information is current, in depth, well written, and researched.  The information appears to have been gathered from a large variety of sources.  There is reference to research articles that were used in gathering information.  The website is most about dysarthria as a whole, but there is a section on ataxic dysarthria.  It gave a good description of ataxic dysarthria and what causes ataxic dysarthria.  The section also described the speech characteristics of ataxic dysarthria and what could be expected of the disorder. 

            The information was presented in an organized fashion which makes it easy to understand.  There is a great deal of information in each section, so if a person was looking for quick information this would not be the best resource to use, but this would be great to use if you were looking to find out the most about the topic.  The ideal audience for this would be general public and professionals.

            This site did not have any hyperlinks in the information.  There were advertisements on the sides, but the links in them were not relevant to the topic that was being studied.

            There was not a way to contact the site, it was not an interactive site.  The site was informational.  It was not a charity or organization, so there was nothing involving donations or funds.

            This website is a great resource because it can be used for just about anything.  It was able to provide a lot of information about a wide variety of topics.  The information provided was reliable and informative. 

Reviews by Dalia A.:

1. Ataxia: Symptoms, Diagnosis and Treatment

    Website Title: John Hopkins Medicine: Ataxia Overview

    Link: http://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/neurology_neurosurgery/specialty_areas/ataxia/conditions/

    Rating of Website Integrity: Excellent
    

      This website is specialized for students and professionals involved in the medical field dealing with neurological disorders such as Ataxia.  When navigating to the link “About Us”, the website states that “The Johns Hopkins Apraxia Center" is a newly established, full-service patient care and clinical research center for people with a relatively rare and disabling brain disorder. The center was launched at Johns Hopkins with initial support from a $450,000 National Ataxia Foundation (NAF) grant funded by the Gordon and Marilyn Macklin Foundation.” Ataxia is discussed in detail, including an overview of the disorder, symptoms, diagnosis, and treatment of Ataxia. The website also includes information about various support groups for those diagnosed with Ataxia and their family members. Additionally, the website offers publications on recent studies of neurological disorders, provides various perspectives on health care, and allows professionals to refer their patients to the right doctor for them. There are links that navigate viewers to contact information of medical staff from the John Hopkins Medical Clinic. The website is rated as excellent, for it is highly organized and easy to navigate, making it user-friendly and comprehensible.

2. Ataxic Dysarthria: Inaccurate and Uncoordinated Movement

    Website Title: Ataxic Dysarthria: Inaccurate and Uncoordinated Movement

    Link: http://hubpages.com/hub/Ataxic-Dysarthria-Inaccurate-and-Uncoordinated-Movement

    Rating of Information: Good for family members and the general public

    Rating of Website: Poor

      The hubpages website is an online blog, which provides information on all topics. Blogs can be written from anyone that has access to a computer and the internet. This specific page about Ataxia within the blog site provides a fairly good description of ataxic dysarthria, which involves cerebellar dysfunction resulting in uncoordinated and inaccurate body movements. It is easy to read and comprehend, making it understandable for the general public and family members of those with the disorder. The rating of this website's integrity is poor because the information is not descriptive on the topic of Ataxic Dysarthria symptoms, etiological factors, and/or treatment options. Additionally, this page displays minimal organization regarding the topic, with only one to two paragraphs regarding the topic of ataxic dysarthria. Furthermore, the site is cluttered with advertisements and there is no link to refer the reader to obtain more information about Ataxic Dysarthria. Lastly, hubpages fails to mention the author of this blog, making its level of accuracy questionable.

3. CNN Health Library: Ataxia

    Website Title: Ataxia

    Link: http://www.cnn.com/HEALTH/library/ataxia/DS00910.html

    Rating of Information: Excellent for the general public

    Rating of Website Integrity: Excellent

      The CNN website offers a brief and well organized description of Ataxia. This site was updated on March 2011, and the content was provided by Mayoclinic.com, the largest non-profit medical organization in the world. CNN is a reliable and well known company which provides news around the world. The CNN health link provides further information through other links about symptoms, causes, tests, diagnosis, treatment options, and support groups for those diagnosed with Ataxia. It is easy to read and understand, making the rating of information excellent for the general public. This website allows viewers to email, share, and save the information provided on the page, making it helpful and easy to use. The rating for this website’s integrity is excellent for its organization of information and visual agreeableness to the eye. This link directs the reader to other topics of health and news relating to Ataxia, such as “Diet and Fitness”, “Living Well”, “Mental Health”, “Conditions”, and an all health directory called “Health A to Z”. Lastly, the website offers a section called “Ask a Question”, encouraging readers to contact an expert online regarding knowing more about this particular article and/or other health related issues. Rating of Information is excellent for the general public because of its organization, user-friendliness, easy navigation, and helpfulness.