Speech Therapy for Parkinson's Disease

Did you know that up to 90% of people diagnosed with Parkinson's disease are at risk of developing a weak voice that can lead to speech and swallowing challenges?

While everyone's symptoms are different, here are a few possible changes you may notice in your voice with PD:

• Low volume

• Trailing off at the end of sentences

• Speech that is difficult to understand

• Weak voice

• Hoarse-sounding voice

• Clearing throat

• Inconsistent vocal quality

Some changes in swallowing include:

• Drooling

• Coughing during or soon after drinking

• Wet/gurgly vocal quality when eating or drinking

• The sensation of food or pills "getting stuck"

• Unexplained weight loss

Why do we notice these changes? Parkinson's disease is characterized by a deficiency in the production of dopamine. Dopamine impacts our automatic movements, which include speech and swallowing.

How can speech therapy help? Speech therapy can focus on providing exercises to improve volume, vocal quality, and swallowing. The SPEAK OUT! voice program from Parkinson Voice Project teaches individuals with Parkinson's how to convert speech from an automatic function to an intentional act.

Have you or a loved one been diagnosed with Parkinson's disease and noticed changes in speech or swallowing? Contact us to schedule a FREE consultation to see if speech therapy is right for you.

Phone: (951) 221-0367

Email: info@clockworkspeechtherapy.com