Parkinson's disease is one of the most common movement disorders. It occurs when the brain doesn't produce enough dopamine, a chemical that supports smooth, controlled muscle movement. This condition typically affects older adults but can also occur in people in their 30s or 40s. 

 

HOW DOES PARKINSON’S AFFECT SPEECH?

As dopamine levels decrease, communication between brain cells becomes more difficult resulting in variable movement and cognitive deficits. Speech, language, cognition, and swallowing are all affected by the lowered dopamine level. Thanks to advances in medical science, there are proven strategies and therapeutic activities that are highly successful in the recovery process and speech therapy has proven to be particularly effective in treating Dysarthria (difficulty speaking) and Dysphagia (difficulty swallowing).

 

WHAT ARE SIGNS OF PARKINSON’S DISEASE?

Speech, language, cognitive, and swallowing signs of Parkinson’s Disease include:

• Soft speech (quiet voice)

• Monotone voice

• Reduced facial movements

• Memory deficits

• Difficulty swallowing

• Excessive salivation

 

HOW CAN Speech Therapy & Beyond services HELP?

A Speech and Language Pathologist (SLP) can help improve swallowing, voice, and communication skills that are common manifestations of PD. The therapist can teach strategies to overcome communication deficits including soft speech, Dysarthria (slurred speech), Aphasia (a language disorder), and/or changes in memory, organization, problem solving or cognition.

We have therapists who specialize in dealing with the progression of Parkinson’s and have a host of drills and strategies to raise voice volume, promote word retrieval and increase conversational skills.

Are you ready to begin online speech therapy?