Speech Therapy and Parkinson’s Disease
Do people constantly ask you to repeat yourself? Have you noticed a change to the quality or volume of your voice? Speech therapy can help!
Parkinson’s often impacts speech and voice production.
-Decreased volume or a “soft” voice
-Hoarseness or breathiness
-Imprecise or slurred speech
-Slow speech, or, quick bursts of speech that sound “jumbled”
Speak Out!™
BPeck Speech and Swallowing is pleased to offer SPEAK OUT!™, an intensive, evidence-based program developed by the Parkinson Voice Project emphasizing speaking with intent, converting speech from an automatic function to an intentional act.
The program consists of 12 one-on-one sessions across four weeks, targeting intentional speech. The SPEAK OUT!™ workbook is provided to the patient for use in session, and for best results, daily exercise outside of therapy.
Exercises include vocal exercises, readings, and cognitive exercises.
Upon completion of the program, patients are encouraged to join our group of SPEAK OUT!™ graduates who meet weekly for maintenance of new skills and strategies, with the goal of preventing regression of strength and skills post-therapy.
BPeck Speech and Swallowing currently offers a complimentary weekly virtual speech maintenance group, “Bent on Intent,” via zoom.
Schedule a Consult
Parkinson’s and Dysphagia
Signs to Watch for:
-Unintentional weight loss
-Avoiding drinking liquids
-Sensation of food sticking in the throat
-Drooling
-Food collecting around my gums
-Coughing or choking during or after eating and drinking
-Heartburn or sore throat
-Trouble keeping food or liquid in my mouth
Changes in chewing and swallowing are common in Parkinson’s disease (PD) and can interfere with quality of life, causing embarrassment, weight loss, avoidance of favorite foods or drinks, and even respiratory illness.
Many people with PD are not aware of these changes, or don’t know how to describe them. The changes aren’t always obvious.
What I can do:
Step 1: request a referral to a speech-language pathologist for a swallow evaluation
Step 2: the SLP will work with you to determine the best treatment course, depending on the nature of the dysphagia
-Exercise
-Compensatory strategies
-Diet modifications
-Combination of all of the above