Which condition is characterized by an impaired ability to produce speech?

Aphasia is a condition that results from damage to the parts of the brain responsible for language, affecting the ability to produce and comprehend speech. It can manifest in various forms, impacting not just speech production but also reading and writing skills. Individuals with aphasia may struggle to find words, form sentences, or may speak in a manner that lacks the proper structure, making their speech difficult to understand.

In contrast, dyslexia pertains primarily to difficulties in reading and does not directly affect speech production. Agnosia refers to an inability to recognize objects, people, sounds, or shapes, which is distinct from any language deficits. Apraxia involves difficulty with the motor planning required to perform tasks or movements, including speech movements, but it is different from aphasia as it is more about execution of speech than the ability to produce language itself. Thus, aphasia specifically relates to impaired language production, making it the most fitting answer for the condition characterized by an impaired ability to produce speech.