Speech Therapy For
Parkinson’s Disease in Burlington
Supporting Communication, Swallowing, and Cognitive Function at Pillars of Wellness – We provide speech-language pathology services to individuals living with Parkinson’s disease. Our evidence-informed approach addresses communication challenges, voice changes, cognitive-communication concerns, and swallowing difficulties, to enhance safety, participation, and quality of life.
The Benefits Of Speech Therapy for Individuals with Parkinson’s Disease
Parkinson’s disease is a progressive neurodegenerative condition that can affect speech, voice, cognition, and swallowing. According to the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA), many individuals with Parkinson’s experience:
- Reduced vocal loudness (hypophonia)
- Monotone speech or decreased intonation
- Slurred or imprecise articulation
- Difficulty initiating speech or maintaining fluency
- Decreased facial expression (hypomimia)
- Swallowing impairments (dysphagia)
- Cognitive-communication difficulties (e.g., word-finding, memory, attention)
Speech-language pathologists (SLPs) play a key role in evaluating and treating these symptoms, helping individuals communicate more clearly and safely engage in daily activities.
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 vocal loudness and clarity
Enhancing speech fluency and naturalness
Speaking with expression
Manage rate of speech
Optimizing breath support and coordination during speaking
Strengthening articulation and intelligibility
Promoting effective strategies for social interaction
Supporting safe swallowing through exercise, strategy use, and education
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
Early intervention is strongly recommended, as proactive therapy may help preserve communication function and reduce the risk of complications, such as aspiration or social withdrawal. 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.
The SPEAK OUT!® Program
At Pillars of Wellness, we offer SPEAK OUT!®, a specialized therapy program developed by the Parkinson Voice Project. This structured intervention is designed to improve speech clarity and vocal strength in individuals with Parkinson’s disease.
Key features of the SPEAK OUT!® program include:
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Individualized assessment and treatment planning
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8 to 12 sessions of one-on-one therapy with a certified SLP
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Emphasis on speaking with intent to enhance vocal effort and clarity
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Structured home practice to support carryover between sessions
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Focus on both communication and swallowing goals
This evidence-supported approach has been shown to improve vocal intensity, speech intelligibility, and quality of life for individuals with Parkinson’s.
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?
At Pillars of Wellness, we recognize that Parkinson’s disease affects each person differently. Our speech-language pathologists work closely with clients, families, and healthcare providers to develop collaborative care plans. We offer flexible scheduling, ongoing progress monitoring, and education to support therapy both in the clinic and at home.
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.
Additional Speech Therapy Services
Apraxia of Speech
Parkinson’s Disease – Speak Out Program
Dysphagia
Reading, Writing And Literacy
Dysarthria Treatment
Stuttering
Language Delay and Disorder
Therapy For Brain Injury
