Whether it’s your own child or a child on your caseload—one who’s hard to understand, too soft to be heard, not articulating clearly, or using only a few words—one of the most effective places to begin may be surprisingly simple: their voice. Voice is power source behind every word a child says, and for many children with motor speech disorders it’s an overlooked foundation. Targeting voice directly can help speech become louder, clearer, and easier to understand.
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In our latest episode of Think BIG and LOUD, host Beth Peterson sat down with Dr. Suzana Simoes, Physical Therapist and Director of Rehabilitation services at Florida Pace Centers, to explore a model of care that is quietly transforming how frail older adults stay safe, mobile, and connected in their own communities.
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Most people know that Parkinson’s disease affects movement. What is less widely understood is that Parkinson’s disease also impacts two of the most essential tools of human communication: voice and facial expression.
Hypophonia is a soft or reduced loudness voice. Hypomimia is often described as a ‘masked’ or reduced facial expression’. Combined, these can create significant social barriers that result in isolation, yet, these symptoms of Parkinson’s are not as frequently discussed.
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If you are a speech, physical, or occupational therapist treating people with Parkinson’s or other neurological conditions, you know that great outcomes require more simply taking a continuing education course. You need ongoing access to treatment tools, patient education resources, and fresh clinical ideas to keep therapy engaging and effective over time.
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Deep brain stimulation (DBS) can be an effective treatment for motor symptoms of patients with Parkinsons, Essential Tremor and Dystonia. However there have been mixed reports in the literature about its effects on speech, and the factors that contribute to speech changes post DBS.
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In recognition of ASHA’s National Speech Language Hearing Month, we sat down with Jen Walentas Lewon — clinical associate professor, LSVT LOUD practitioner, and self-described “consumer of voices” — to talk about what it means to do this work well.
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When you or someone you love is diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease, the search for help begins immediately. You talk to other people with Parkinson’s. You join support groups. You ask your neurologist. You search online. And over time, a list of recommendations begins to take shape including exercise programs, speech therapy, physical therapy, occupational therapy, nutrition, medications, and more.
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What happens when a man loses his voice to Parkinson’s disease — and responds by making an album with some of Britain’s greatest musicians? For Ian Grant, Paul Mitchell, and John Caulcutt, the answer is Think Loud 4 Parkinson’s: a limited-edition vinyl and CD collection that brings together legends from The Stranglers, Fairport Convention, Big Country, the Sex Pistols, and more, all in service of finding a cure.
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What does it take to go from hiding a diagnosis in silence — popping pills in secret, withdrawing from the world — to becoming one of Ireland’s most visible advocates for Parkinson’s awareness? For Gary Bole, it started with a simple, persistent nudge from the person sitting beside him: “Speak up.”
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What happens when a rare neurological condition affects the clarity and confidence of someone’s speech — and the research on treatment is limited? That was the question behind a recent study exploring two intensive speech therapy approaches for people with Friedreich’s Ataxia.
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