For many people with Parkinson’s disease, changes in speech and voice are some of the most frustrating symptoms. Conversations that once came easily can become tiring, softer, and harder to understand. Loved ones may ask you to repeat yourself, or you may find yourself withdrawing from social situations because speaking feels like a struggle. The …
Continue reading “SPEAK OUT!® Therapy for Parkinson’s Disease: Helping Voices Be Heard”
Stroke is a disease in the arteries of the brain that can result is a variety of impairments in the body or in a person’s communication and swallowing skills. The American Stroke Association has found stroke to be a leading cause of disability in the United States. Every person may experience different difficulties and your Speech Language Pathologist is helpful in pinpointing what areas need to be improved in order to rehabilitate functional communication skills.
A voice disorder occurs when there is a change in a person’s voice quality, pitch, or loudness. Voice therapy helps relieve these symptoms and should include three main areas.
When most people hear the term speech therapy, the thought of therapy for children is what may come to mind. However, there are millions of adults who may have their communication skills impacted by a speech, language or voice problem. The cause of communication disorders in adults may vary. It is important to seek out a speech language pathologist (SLP) that specializes in working with the adult population to maximize progress and improvement.
As a speech language pathologist (SLP) that has been certified in LSVT LOUD for almost 10 years, I have found that helping patients with Parkinson’s improve their communication a thoroughly rewarding experience. I have also seen how difficult it can be for clients and families to attend in-person speech therapy sessions with high frequency required.
How to take care of your voice Voice hygiene is a simple way to care for your voice. Following a voice hygiene program can make a big difference in preserving a pleasant sounding voice. Here are a few suggestions on how to care of your voice: Hydration Drink plenty of water; between 8-10 glasses per …
