Learn about multiple sclerosis, its types and common signs, how it can affect speech and swallowing, and the therapy support available to help with communication and everyday participation.
Written by: William Huynh, MPSA-CPSP, Director of Brighter Futures Allied Health
Published: 23 August 2026
Disclaimer: The information on this page is for general education only and should not be used as a substitute for professional assessment or personalised clinical advice. If you have concerns about speech, language, voice or swallowing, speak with a qualified speech pathologist or appropriate healthcare professional.
Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a neurological condition that affects the central nervous system, including the brain and spinal cord. It occurs when the immune system mistakenly attacks myelin, the protective covering around nerve fibres, which can disrupt the way messages travel between the brain and the rest of the body.
MS can affect people in different ways, and symptoms may change over time. Some people experience changes in movement, balance, vision or sensation, while others may experience fatigue, cognitive changes or difficulties with speech, communication and swallowing.
Clinician’s Notes: To date, the exact cause of multiple sclerosis is not fully understood. MS is thought to develop through a combination of genetic susceptibility and environmental factors that influence how the immune system functions. Risk factors may include having a family history of MS, being female, certain viral infections, low vitamin D levels and smoking. Having one or more of these factors does not mean that a person will develop MS, and many people with MS have no obvious risk factors.
Multiple sclerosis can follow different patterns, depending on how symptoms develop and change over time. The type of MS a person has is generally based on whether symptoms occur as distinct episodes, gradually worsen, or involve periods of stability and relapse. Common signs can also vary between types and from person to person.
Clinically isolated syndrome (CIS) refers to a first episode of neurological symptoms caused by inflammation or damage to myelin. Symptoms may include changes in vision, numbness or tingling, weakness, dizziness or difficulties with coordination. Not everyone with CIS will go on to develop MS, but some people may later experience further episodes and receive an MS diagnosis.
Relapsing-remitting MS (RRMS) is the most common form of MS. It involves periods of new or worsening symptoms, known as relapses, followed by periods of partial or complete recovery. Signs may include vision problems, muscle weakness, numbness, balance difficulties, fatigue and changes in coordination, with symptoms varying depending on which areas of the central nervous system are affected.
Secondary progressive MS (SPMS) develops when disability and symptoms begin to gradually worsen after an earlier relapsing-remitting course. A person may continue to experience relapses, but symptoms can also progress between relapses. Common difficulties may include increasing problems with walking and balance, muscle stiffness or weakness, fatigue, cognitive changes and difficulties with coordination.
Primary progressive MS (PPMS) involves a gradual worsening of symptoms and disability from the beginning, rather than distinct relapses and periods of recovery. People may experience increasing difficulty with walking, balance, muscle weakness, stiffness and coordination. Fatigue and changes in cognitive function can also occur, while the pattern and rate of progression vary between individuals.
Multiple sclerosis can affect the neurological systems and muscles involved in speaking, chewing and swallowing. Some people with MS may notice changes in communication or eating and drinking, particularly when fatigue makes symptoms more noticeable.
Changes affecting speech can cause dysarthria, making speech slower, quieter, slurred or less clear. Speaking may also become more tiring, particularly during longer conversations or periods of increased fatigue.
MS can also cause dysphagia, or difficulty swallowing. Signs may include difficulty chewing, coughing or clearing the throat during meals, changes in voice after swallowing, taking longer to finish meals, or avoiding certain foods that have become difficult to manage.
While there is currently no known cure for multiple sclerosis, therapy can help people manage symptoms, maintain function and support participation in everyday activities. Different allied health professionals can provide targeted support for communication, movement, daily activities and independence as a person’s needs change over time.
Speech therapy can support people experiencing changes to speech, voice, communication or swallowing. Therapy may focus on improving communication, managing fatigue during conversations and developing practical strategies for everyday interactions.
Occupational therapy can help people manage changes that affect everyday activities and independence. An occupational therapist may recommend strategies, equipment or environmental modifications to make daily tasks more manageable and support participation at home, work and in the community.
Physiotherapy can support movement, strength, balance and mobility. A physiotherapist may provide exercises and movement strategies to help maintain physical function, manage changes in mobility and support independence.
Clinician’s Notes: In the clinic, we often see how changes to a person’s abilities brought about by MS can affect their emotional wellbeing. Counselling and psychological support can help people adjust to these changes, manage stress and develop strategies for coping with the emotional challenges of living with a long-term condition. Emotional support can be particularly valuable alongside physical, communication and functional therapies as a person’s needs change over time.
Finding the right support can make it easier to navigate the practical and emotional challenges associated with multiple sclerosis. Health professionals, community organisations and government services can offer information, funding, counselling and practical assistance for people with MS and their families.
In addition to these, personalised care from allied health professionals can help manage the challenges of MS. Speech pathologists, occupational therapists and physiotherapists can work alongside the broader healthcare team to support a person’s communication, mobility, independence and participation in everyday life.
William Huynh is a senior speech pathologist and the director of NDIS-registered provider Brighter Futures Allied Health. He has over a decade of experience working with children and adults with complex communication needs, including disability, dysphagia, and acquired language impairments. William has completed specialist training in approaches such as Key Word Sign, LAMP Words for Life, Grid 3, and Hanen’s More Than Words. He also supervises speech pathologists and student placements, supporting evidence-based and family-centred practice.
