Hand gestures: Perspectives and preliminary implications for adults with acquired dysarthria

Most communicators engage in some degree of hand gesturing while speaking. The purposes of the present paper are to review in detail the nature of hand gestures (gesticulations) in normal communicative interactions and to examine their potential role as a compensatory communicative strategy in dysarthria rehabilitation. In addition, contraindications and other considerations that may limit the use of gesticulations will be identified. Directions for future research on the use of gesticulations for adults with acquired dysarthria are discussed.