Adults5 MINUTE READ

Speech Therapy Helps Manage the Symptoms of Parkinson’s Disease (PD)

A Parkinson’s disease diagnosis can feel overwhelming, especially when it comes to understanding treatments and therapies. 

Speech therapy is a significant support for people with Parkinson’s disease. Speech therapists can help people with Parkinson’s manage problems related to speaking, cognitive skills, and swallowing. Because Parkinson’s is a degenerative neurological disorder, issues can show up over time. That’s why it’s so important to find a speech therapist early on. Being able to communicate and stay connected with others is one way to keep living life to the fullest. Let’s take a look at the benefits of speech therapy for people with Parkinson’s disease, as well as what to expect in therapy sessions.

How does Parkinson’s affect voice and speech?

Parkinson’s disease can cause difficulty with voice or speech clarity. Symptoms can include:

  • Limited facial expressions

  • Slower speech and overall slowed movement

  • Slurred words or mumbling

  • Stooped posture, which makes it difficult to speak clearly and loudly enough to be understood by others

  • A more monotone voice

  • A quieter voice

  • A breathy or hoarse voice

Many people with Parkinson's report that these challenges make it extremely difficult to communicate with family, friends, and colleagues. They often decide to limit social interactions as a result.

How does speech therapy support voice and speech skills?

While there are medications to help with Parkinson's symptoms, speech therapy is by far one of the most effective interventions for problems with speech or voice quality. One type of speech therapy treatment for Parkinson’s is called SPEAK OUT! This program helps people with their clarity of speech and communication. 

Another speech and voice treatment for Parkinson’s is Lee Silverman Voice Treatment (LSVT) LOUD. The goal of LSVT LOUD is to train people with Parkinson’s to speak louder, at a normal intensity, while keeping a good voice quality. Many studies have shown the effectiveness of SPEAK OUT! and LSVT LOUD. Not only do they improve the ability to speak, they help lessen the social isolation that might result from communication challenges.

Tips to improve communication when you have Parkinson's disease

Your speech therapist will have strategies and tips that are tailored to you. But if you or a loved one is having communication problems, these strategies can be helpful:

  • When talking with others, choose a quiet place so everyone can be heard. Make sure the TV and radio are turned off so there isn’t any competing noise.

  • Sit in a sturdy chair and in an upright position to help with voice projection and clarity.

  • Make sure everyone’s faces can be seen. This increases the ability to be understood significantly.

  • Stay hydrated. Having a well-hydrated voice makes it easier to speak clearly, and it decreases the chance of injuring your vocal system. Without proper hydration, your voice will sound like sandpaper on a piece of wood–gravelly and rough. Drinking enough water also helps you have a wider pitch and better vocal stability.

How does Parkinson’s affect cognition?

Parkinson’s disease may cause changes in a person’s cognitive abilities as well. These may include problems with:

How does speech therapy support cognition?

Speech therapy for Parkinson’s can help people maintain their cognitive skills. Your speech therapist will determine how these problems are impacting you day-to-day, then recommend specific techniques to try. Let’s look at an example. Say a person with Parkinson’s is having difficulty with their memory. They may forget to do tasks like switch wet laundry to the dryer or take their daily medication. A speech therapist might recommend using sticky notes to set reminders for tasks, or having a caregiver give the person verbal reminders. It may be helpful to use a pill box labeled with the days of the week, set alerts on a phone, or write down tasks in a daily planner. Each person and their needs will be different. Your speech therapist will tailor your goals and treatment to fit your daily life.

How does Parkinson’s affect swallowing?

Parkinson’s can cause swallowing disorders (known as dysphagia), with symptoms such as:

  • Coughing

  • Throat clearing

  • Choking on food, liquids, and even one’s own saliva 

Many people with Parkinson’s report the sensation of having food stuck in their throat.

How does speech therapy support swallowing?

Speech therapy for Parkinson’s can help people with their swallowing skills and safety. Your speech therapist will talk with you to learn which foods and liquids are important to you to eat. They will observe as you consume certain foods and liquids to determine how safely you can manage them.

Your therapist may prescribe exercises to strengthen the muscles used to swallow.  In some cases, diet changes may be prescribed, such as eating soft foods with a specific texture that are easier to swallow.

Sometimes you may need an instrumental swallowing examination. One of the most common exams is a modified barium swallow study (MBSS). This X-ray will indicate where the swallowing problem is and whether liquids and food are “going down the wrong pipe.” If so, there may be a risk of aspiration–when food or liquids go into your windpipe (trachea) and into your lungs.

What is online speech therapy for Parkinson’s disease like?

Because of the progressive nature of Parkinson’s disease, if you’re experiencing any speech or swallowing symptoms, it’s best to start speech therapy as soon as possible. 

Online speech therapy makes it easy to find the right therapist, no matter where you live or what your transportation options are. For example, Expressable employs more than 150 licensed speech therapists around the country, in all 50 states.

When we think of speech therapy, most of us picture sitting across from a therapist in a clinic or office. But with online therapy, also called teletherapy, you still meet face-to-face with a speech therapist. Through the use of video technology like Zoom, online speech therapy can feel as if you’re in the same room as your therapist, even if they’re hundreds of miles away.

The speech therapist should perform a holistic assessment of your motor function and cognitive abilities, focusing on the concerns impacting your everyday life.

Speech therapy for Parkinson’s will start with an evaluation. The speech therapist should perform a holistic assessment of your motor function and cognitive abilities, focusing on the concerns that are impacting your everyday life. They will talk with you and your loved ones to determine how speech therapy can best support you. The speech therapist will assess and identify your current strengths and weaknesses. They’ll spend time discussing treatment goals with you, your family, and your caregivers. A collaborative effort will help you make the most functional, meaningful gains. Expressable speech therapists are certified in SPEAK OUT! and LSVT LOUD. However, your speech therapist will tailor therapy to your individual needs, setting measurable goals that are monitored in sessions each week. 

What are the benefits of online speech therapy for Parkinson’s?

Here are some of the top reasons adults choose online speech therapy instead of traditional in-person therapy:

Flexibility and convenience. With online speech therapy, you’re receiving professional support from the comfort of home. There’s no driving or coordinating rides–you simply go to a quiet room and log on. And many online speech therapists offer services in the evenings or on weekends, which may make it easier for family members to attend with you.

Plus, your loved one can attend even if they don’t live nearby! They can simply log on from their own location.

The speech therapist gets a sense of your home environment. When speech therapy is done virtually, it gives the therapist a window into your everyday life at home. They can use household items in therapy as needed.

Family members or caregivers can attend alongside you, or talk with the therapist at the end of the session. This way, loved ones know what you’re learning in speech therapy and can help you practice throughout the week.

Greater access to care. Some people may not have a local speech therapy clinic near them. Or, the speech therapy offered nearby may not specialize in treating Parkinson’s disease. Teletherapy allows people to access services they otherwise couldn’t easily receive.

At Expressable, our clients have another benefit: access to our personalized client portal. Our online portal features videos, resources, and practice activities covering the strategies taught in your therapy sessions. This makes it much easier to practice your new skills between sessions. The more you practice speech therapy techniques at home, the faster you'll make progress! 

Get started with Expressable

If you or your loved one is considering speech therapy, contact Expressable today. You can talk with a specialist during a free consultation call. We’re here to answer your questions and help you decide on next steps.

Parkinson’s is not a fatal disease. The most important thing you can do is manage the symptoms. Speech therapy is a proven intervention for many with Parkinson’s, and with the right care, it is possible to have a long, high-quality life with this condition.

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