Speech Therapy For
Parkinson’s Disease in Burlington

On this page, we’ll discuss how speech therapy could benefit someone with Parkinson’s Disease. We’ll explore some types of speech-language activities that can be incorporated into treatment, as well as a speech therapy program designed for individuals with Parkinson’s Disease.

The Benefits Of Speech Therapy for Individuals with Parkinson’s Disease

For those who are looking for ways to manage symptoms of Parkinson’s disease, speech therapy can provide a valuable resource. While managing this progressive neurological disorder can be overwhelming and challenging, incorporating speech therapy into your treatment plan can help to improve communication skills and cognitive functioning as well as reduce the severity of certain motor-related problems associated with the condition.

Exploring the Different Areas of

Treatment for speech and cognitive-communication issues related to Parkinson’s Disease

The first step to incorporating speech therapy into your Parkinson’s treatment is to understand the different approaches that can be taken.

Depending on your individual needs and goals, you may decide to focus on specific areas of communication such as:

Improving voice volume and quality

Enhancing vocal clarity

Speaking with expression

Increasing the speed and fluency of speech

Managing breathing techniques

Improving pronunciation

Increasing awareness of social language cues

Creating strategies to manage conversations more effectively

Identifying symptoms that indicate speech therapy may be needed

In order to decide if speech therapy is the right course of action for managing Parkinson’s Disease, it’s important to understand what signs and symptoms may indicate that such interventions are needed. Common indications include:

5Difficulty starting conversations
5Speaking in a monotone or robotic-sounding voice
5Slurring words or speaking too slowly
5Speaking too slowly or too quickly
5Difficulty thinking of words in conversation
5Difficulty pronouncing certain sounds and words
5Being told by others that your speech is hard to understand
5Using frequent pauses, repetitions, filler words or phrases when speaking
5Slowed response time, or difficulty understanding or remembering conversation

If you have been exhibiting any of these signs and symptoms, it may be beneficial to seek out speech therapy in Burlington to help address them. Our speech-language pathologist can work with you on exercises and activities tailored to your individual needs to improve your communication abilities over time.

By making use of the right approach, individuals with Parkinson’s Disease can experience significant improvements in their quality of life through speech therapy interventions. If you think that this form of treatment may be right for you, be sure to discuss your options with our qualified speech-language pathologist today.

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The SPEAK OUT!® Program

The SPEAK OUT!® Speech Therapy program is clinically proven to help maintain communication and speech while minimizing life-threatening swallowing complications.

This program is designed specifically for individuals with Parkinson’s disease who are experiencing speech and voice difficulties. These challenges can be frustrating and isolating, but with our evidence-based therapy, we can help you regain control of your voice and improve your communication abilities.

The program was developed by Parkinson’s Voice Project, a non-profit organization dedicated to improving the lives of people with Parkinson’s disease. SPEAK OUT!® has been proven effective in clinical studies, and our certified speech-language pathologists are specially trained to work with individuals with Parkinson’s disease.

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So, how does SPEAK OUT!® work?

First, you’ll undergo an evaluation to determine your current speech and voice abilities. From there, our team will develop a personalized therapy plan that’s tailored to your specific needs and goals.

The SPEAK OUT!® program includes 8 to 12 individual therapy sessions. During your individual sessions, you’ll work one-on-one with your speech-language pathologist to improve your speech and voice abilities. You’ll also receive homework assignments to practice on your own between sessions.

Discovering what results can be expected from receiving speech therapy

The results of speech therapy treatment may vary from one individual to the next, depending on the severity of their symptoms and how long they have been experiencing them.

With consistent practice and dedication, however, many individuals can begin to experience significant improvements in their communication abilities by making use of speech therapy exercises. Some possible outcomes of engaging in speech therapy include:

Increased confidence and comfort when speaking

Improved vocal volume and quality with less strain on the voice

Improved pronunciation of speech, allowing the listener to better understand what was said

Greater control over facial expressions, posture and breathing

Improved ability to swallow by strengthening mouth and throat muscles

Improved word-finding and comprehension in conversation

Better memory recall, comprehension, and overall cognitive function

Why choose Pillars of Wellness?

If you or a loved one is living with Parkinson’s Disease, speech therapy may be able to provide significant help in managing the condition. By engaging in regular exercises tailored to individual needs, patients can begin to experience meaningful improvements in their communication abilities and overall quality of life.

If you are ready to begin your journey, contact us and set up an appointment with our speech-language pathologist today. With the right approach, you can make great strides toward improved speech, cognition and well-being.

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