This presentation examines the role of motivation in motor speech therapy for individuals with dysarthria following acquired brain injury (ABI). It highlights the integration of motivational theory into traditional motor speech interventions and its impact on client engagement and therapy outcomes. The presentation will provide a concise overview of the study’s objectives, methods, key findings, and conclusions. The primary objective of this study was to assess whether the inclusion of motivational principles could enhance participation in intensive motor speech therapy and improve speech and psychosocial outcomes. A case study design was used, involving nine participants who completed the Motivating Motor Speech (MMS) program. Designed by Applied Communication Skills (ASC; a private practice in Metropolitan Melbourne), MMS combines traditional drill-based motor speech exercises with explicit teaching of motivational theories such as Self-Determination Theory, Goal-Setting Theory, and Social Cognitive Theory, in addition to motivating group activities. Key results showed statistically significant improvements in speech intelligibility at both single-word and sentence levels, as well as overall voice ratings. Participants also demonstrated increased engagement in therapy, with thematic analysis identifying factors such as intervention type, individual characteristics, and motivational influences as critical to their experience. The presentation will include a discussion of how integrating motivational theory into motor speech therapy may address challenges related to client compliance and engagement, offering a new avenue for improving therapy outcomes in individuals with dysarthria post-ABI

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