Parkinson’s And Speech Therapy

Managing Swallowing Changes In Psp Cbd And Msa

In this one hour and fifteen-minute webinar speech language pathologist Julie Hicks has just one slide specific to PSP, CBD, and MSA. The rest of her presentation provides general information about working with a SLP, what swallowing evaluation looks like, and what treatment might involve. In the question-and-answer time Julie talks about when to see an SLP, the use of feeding tubes, practical tips families can use to help people slow down and control impulsivity while eating, and how to find an SLP with experience treating those with parkinsonism disorders.

How To Find A Speech Therapist

Tell your doctor If you are experiencing any changes in your speech or voice. Ask for a referral and a prescription for a speech evaluation and treatment. If you have not noticed changes in your speech, but a spouse, care partner or friend has: pay attention to their comments. The sooner you get a speech evaluation and start speech therapy, the better.

Speech therapists work in many settings, including hospitals, outpatient rehabilitation centers and private practice offices. To locate one in your area, contact the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association at www.asha.org, or find a therapist certified in the Lee Silverman Voice Treatment by visiting www.lsvtglobal.com.

Ideally, you should see a speech therapist face-toface for a complete voice and speech evaluation and treatment. However, if a speech therapist is not available in your area, LSVT LOUD the most researched voice treatment for people with PD is virtually offered in select states. The speech therapist interacts with you in your home or office live through your computer screen.

Learn more about speech and Parkinsons by reading our free book Speech and Swallowing. Order online at Parkinson.org/Books or by calling our Helpline at 1-800-4PD-INFO .

If I Have Speech And Voice Problems How Can I Maintain And Improve My Communication

Some tips to improve communication include:

• Choose a quiet, low-noise space. Turn off televisions, radios and other devices that create noise.
• Make sure your listener can see your face. Look at the person while you are talking. A well-lit room improves face-to-face conversation, increasing the ability to be understood.
• Use short phrases. Say one or two words or syllables per breath.
• Plan periods of vocal rest before planned conversations or phone calls. Know that fatigue significantly affects your ability to speak. Techniques that work in the morning might not work later in the day.
• Keep your throat hydrated. Drink plenty of water. Dont drink beverages containing caffeine or alcohol. Use a humidifier if the air in your home is dry.
• Keep an upright posture, straight chin, slightly lifted neck to improve airflow from lungs to your vocal cords.
• If you are soft spoken and your voice has become low, consider using an amplifier.

If some people have difficulty understanding you, these additional strategies might help:

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How Can I Maintain And Enhance My Speech

Language Impairment In Parkinson’s Disease

In this 1-hour webinar, speech language pathologist Jamie Russell discusses communication and swallowing challenges common in people with Parkinson’s, general interventions and self-management strategies for patients and caregivers, strategies for working through difficulties such as following complex commands, word retrieval, and organizing thought in conversation, as well as general swallowing strategies.

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What Emergency Type Devices Should A Person With Parkinsons Disease With Speech And Voice Problems Have At Hand

To preparing for emergencies:

• Use an intercom system or baby monitor to alert others that there is an emergency.
• Use bells or buzzers if you are not able to speak. Use “codes” that signify urgency. For example, a tinkling bell might mean, “I’d like company,” while an air horn might mean there’s an emergency.
• Carry a cell phone that is equipped with pre-programmed numbers. Preprogram all of your telephones so they can automatically dial the necessary emergency number.
• Sign up for a “Life Call” button service if you spend time alone. Pressing a button on a device usually worn on the wrist or around neck signals a service company that alerts loved ones and/or your local emergency service.

Speech Problems Of Parkinsons Disease

The most common speech problems experienced by people with PD involve reduced volume , reduced pitch range , and difficulty with the articulation of sounds or syllables . In essence, you cant speak as loudly as others, you find it more difficult to convey emotion when you do speak, and you find it difficult to form the words you are trying to pronounce.

You dont need me to tell you that this combination of factors makes speaking extremely frustrating. When you couple all of these voicing problems with the so-called masked faces of PD, the difficulty in expressing emotions via facial expression, it’s no wonder that people occasionally find it challenging to understand what you are trying to say.

It may be tempting to withdraw from conversations with others altogether, but that would be a mistake. You need to interact with others on a daily basis, no matter how frustrating it becomes this is critical for your mental health, and be assured that your loved ones want to interact with you. The good news is that there are treatments, such as voice exercises, that can dramatically improve the voicing problems associated with PD.

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Zoom Voice Group For Pwp

Cost: $60 / 6 weeks

Class: voice exercise

Duration: 60 minutes

Classes run in 6 week sessions with a break in between. Class size is limited. Registrants must commit to all 6 weeks. You can register for the class with the instructor, speech language therapist, Jocelyn Lagier, on her website, by phone , or by using this form and mail her a check for tuition.

Cost: Free

Do Swallowing Problems In People With Parkinsons Disease Also Affect Speech

Swallowing problems are a common problem in people with Parkinsons disease. They can occur at any stage of the disease, can change throughout the disease course and often get worse as symptoms progress. Let your healthcare provider and/or speech-language pathologist know as you notice you are having swallowing problems. Symptoms of swallowing problems include drooling, choking, coughing, difficulty taking pills, taking a long time to eat, weight loss and dehydration. The most serious complication of a swallowing problem–and the reason why you should see your provider right away– is aspiration. Aspiration is when food or liquid goes into your windpipe , then passes down into your lungs, which can lead to aspiration pneumonia.

Although swallowing problems may not directly affect your speech, swallowing problems and voice and speech problems often occur at the same time.

A note from Cleveland Clinic

Voice and speech difficulties are common problems in people with Parkinsons disease, especially as the disease worsens. These problems affect your ability to communicate in the work setting and with family and friends which affects the quality of your life. Fortunately a speech-language pathologist can develop an effective treatment program to help improve your ability to communicate.

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Voyager Working On More Effective And Safer Gene Therapy Viral Carriers

Voyagers TRACER screening platform helps to select and engineer viral carriers expected to be more successful at reaching the target tissue while minimizing off-target effects.

One such capsid was found to increase BBB penetrance by about 50 times when injected directly into the bloodstream of non-human primates or mice compared with a standard AAV vector.

Notably, a single dose of the GBA1 gene therapy, delivered using a CNS-penetrant vector, resulted in therapeutically relevant levels of the GCase enzyme throughout the brain in a mouse model of GBA1 deficiency, the company reported.

Neurocrine and Voyager have a long-standing collaboration in the development of gene therapies.

The two companies previously joined in work to develop VY-AADC, another of Voyagers gene therapy candidates for Parkinsons. Neurocrine announced that it was ending this collaboration in 2021, but it would continue to work with Voyager on other gene therapy programs.

We look forward to expanding our engagement with Neurocrine Biosciences, with whom we already enjoy a strong relationship, said Alfred W. Sandrock, Jr., MD, PhD, CEO of Voyager.

We anticipate that the opportunities enabled by this collaboration will allow us to continue to invest in our platform and pipeline programs, as well as to advance cutting-edge research initiatives, Sandrock added.

How Are Speech Problems Treated

There are many options to help improve your speech. A speech-language pathologist can help you pick the right approaches for you. SLPs are trained health care professionals who specialize in evaluating and treating people with speech, swallowing, voice and language problems.Ask your doctor for a referral to a speech-language pathologist. It is also important to contact your health insurance company to find out what therapy and procedures are eligible for reimbursement and to find a list of SLPs covered by your plan.Finally, visit a SLP who has experience treating people with PD. Call the Parkinsons Foundation Helpline at 1-800-4PD-INFO for help locating a speech-language pathologist in your area. Lee Silverman Voice Treatment, discussed below, is a specific voice therapy for PD but it is not the only way to obtain high quality speech therapy for PD.

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Problems With Speech And Voice

If you experience problems with your speech and voice you may find your speech sounds slurred or unclear, or that you speak more quickly than before. You may also find you have to slow down to make yourself understood. It can also become harder to control how quickly you speak.

Your voice can also change. It may sound:

• unsteady and flat

• difficulty putting enough power into your movements

Speech and language therapists are healthcare professionals who can provide assessment and advice on all aspects of communication, from facial expression and body language to speech and communication aids.

Clinical guidelines recommend that your GP, specialist or Parkinsons nurse should consider referring you to a speech and language therapist with experience of Parkinsons when youre in the early stages of the condition.

This is important because you may not notice changes to your speech and communication if they are subtle. But a speech and language therapist can uncover any issues, help you manage them and stop them becoming worse.

You may find it helpful to have regular check-ups. This will allow your speech and language therapist to monitor whether there are any changes with your speech. If there are, they can recommend specific exercises or programmes to help you.

Another recommendation in the guidelines is that youre given equipment to help you communicate if you need it .

Medication such as levodopa may help improve how loudly and clearly you speak.

Lee Silverman Voice Treatment

LSVT-LOUD is an intensive behavioral treatment program that requires sixteen therapy sessions in one month with a trained speech therapist. The primary goal is to help improve vocal loudness. As a result of therapy, improvements in speech clarity and breathing are often seen. DVDs are also sold for at-home treatment.

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What Is Nonverbal Communication

Nonverbal communication, also called augmentative and alternative communication , is a method of communicating without spoken words.

When communication needs cannot be met through speech, the following techniques can help:

• Make the best use out of what speaking ability is left.
• Use expressions and gestures to communicate.

Non-verbal communication can help people with speech difficulties actually speak better by:

• Reducing the frustration and stress of being unable to communicate.
• Alleviating the pressure to speak.
• Allowing the person to be more relaxed and come across in a more understandable manner.

My Parkinson’s Story: Speech And Swallowing

This 8-minute video alternates between an interview with a man and his wife and healthcare professionals. The man and his wife share how Parkinson’s has affected his speech and swallowing. The healthcare professionals explain how Parkinson’s affects speech and swallowing. Speech therapy can improve speech volume and enunciation as well as swallowing control and drooling. They also advise specific changes to eating habits and avoiding some types of foods to prevent choking.

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Q: Who Should Consider Lsvt Big

A: We believe that nearly every person with PD could benefit from LSVT BIG. Research shows that LSVT BIG treatment can lead to faster walking with bigger steps and arm swings, better balance, and more ability to twist at the waist. Clinicians also report that LSVT BIG often helps people with buttoning their clothes, writing and other smaller-movement tasks, as well large movements like getting up from a seat and getting into bed. It is also complementary with other community-based activities and exercises that many people with PD enjoy, such as dancing, boxing, cycling, tai chi, etc.

Parkinson’s Voice Project Practice Videos

Four Speak Out! practice videos, each with a different Parkinson’s Voice Project speech language pathologist .

Cost: $34.99/month or $349.99/year, first month free

Online post speech therapy maintenance with a speech language pathologist trained in either LSVT LOUD or Speak OUT!

Includes 15+ voice practice sessions per week as well as facial exercises, articulation practice, and more.

Publisher: LSVT Global, Inc. Cost: $28 for DVD or download $15/year streaming

Speech exercises for people with Parkinson’s Disease and other neurological conditions. Available in English and Cantonese.

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What If I Have An Emergency How Will I Communicate

• Use an intercom system or baby monitor to alert others that there is an emergency.
• Use bells or buzzers if you are not able to speak. Use “codes” that signify urgency. For example, a tinkling bell may mean, “I’d like company” while an air-horn means there’s an emergency.
• Carry a portable phone that is equipped with pre-programmed numbers.
• Pre-program all of your telephones so they can automatically dial the necessary emergency number.
• Consider a “life call” button if you spend time alone.

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How Do I Know If I Have A Speech Or Voice Problem

• My voice makes it difficult for people to hear me.
• People have difficulty understanding me in a noisy room.
• My voice issues limit my personal and social life.
• I feel left out of conversations because of my voice.
• I cannot participate in telephone calls because of my voice.
• My voice problem causes me to lose income.
• I have to strain to project my voice.
• My voice clarity is unpredictable.
• My voice problem upsets me.
• My voice makes me feel handicapped.
• People ask, “What’s wrong with your voice?”

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What Causes Speech And Swallowing Difficulties Associated With Parkinsons

There are multiple reasons why Parkinsons can lead to speech and swallowing difficulties. For example:

• Parkinsons affects the muscles and nerves in your face, throat, mouth, tongue, respiratory system, and larynx. As these muscles and nerves weaken, you might have more speaking and swallowing difficulties.
• Parkinsons makes it difficult for your muscles to activate. This includes the muscles you need to speak and swallow, such as your throat, tongue, and larynx.
• Parkinsons affects the areas of your brain that control the speech process.
• Parkinsons changes the way your brain processes information. This can make it difficult to be part of conversations and communicate your thoughts.
• Parkinsons can cause your movements to become smaller and less powerful. This includes the movements you make with your mouth and throat that affect speech and swallowing.
• Parkinsons can reduce your sensory awareness. You might not realize that the volume, speed, or pitch of your voice has changed. You might feel that you are shouting even when you are speaking at a normal volume.
• Parkinsons can reduce your ability to prompt your own outward speech and begin conversations. Often, people with Parkinsons who are able to answer questions or respond to others have difficulty voicing thoughts without being asked.

Speech therapy can benefit people with Parkinsons.

Speech and language therapists are healthcare professionals who can work with patients to help improve:

How Can Listeners Help People Who Have Difficulty Speaking And Communicating

Here are some ways friends and family of people with Parkinsons disease can ease speaking and communication difficulties:

• Talk to the person with Parkinsons disease face-to-face only, and look at the person as he or she is speaking.
• Ask questions that require a simple “yes” or “no” answer.
• Repeat the part of the sentence that you understood.
• Ask the person to repeat what he or she said, to speak more slowly or spell out the words you did not understand.

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Q: One Of The Most Important Aspects Of Lsvt Is The Training Of Speech

A: You are correct training is at the heart of our organization. Because LSVT LOUD and LSVT BIG are evidence-based treatments, the goal of clinical training is not only to transfer science to clinical practice, but to ensure the quality of treatment matches the research .

LSVT Certification is available to speech, physical and occupational therapists, assistants, clinical fellows, and students enrolled in speech, physical and occupational therapy programs. LSVT Training and Certification Courses are offered in either two-day live in-person courses around the world or a 14-hour online course available in English. Both formats offer the same content, training and culminate in identical certification.

COVID-19 brought our live in-person training courses to a screeching halt in March 2020. While the LSVT LOUD and LSVT BIG Online Training and Certification Courses remained fully operational, training was limited to therapists who were comfortable with a self-paced, pre-recorded course and the English language. We have since made modifications to enable training in other languages, as well as virtual live training options.

We will remain virtual in 2021 for our live courses and continue to offer our very popular online courses as well. LSVT Certified Clinicians can be located through our LSVT Certified Clinician Directory.