7 Ways Speech Therapy Can Benefit Those with Parkinson's Disease

Living with Parkinson’s disease can make everyday things, like talking, harder. The good news is that speech therapy can really help. Let’s take a look at how it works and why speech-language pathologists (SLPs) can make a big difference for people with Parkinson’s.

1. Making Your Voice Clearer and Louder

One of the first things Parkinson’s affects is your voice—it can get softer and harder to understand. Speech therapy helps fix that by focusing on how you say words. SLPs teach exercises to strengthen the muscles you use to speak. This makes your voice louder, clearer, and easier to understand. Programs like Speak Out! teach you to use your voice with more intent, instead of speaking automatically. By practicing with a therapist, you can improve how you sound and feel more confident when talking to others.

2. Building Confidence to Communicate

It’s not just about how you talk, but also how you feel about talking. Many people with Parkinson’s avoid social situations because they feel embarrassed about their speech. Speech therapy helps with that too. It gives you a safe space to practice talking, which helps you feel more comfortable and confident. SLPs can also teach you tricks to make speaking easier, like pausing or speaking more slowly. The more your communication improves, the better you’ll feel about talking to others.

3. Helping with Swallowing Problems

Parkinson’s can also cause swallowing issues, making it tough to eat or drink. Speech pathologists can teach exercises to strengthen the muscles that help you swallow and show you safer ways to eat. These exercises make swallowing easier and help prevent aspiration.

4. Improving Thinking and Memory

Parkinson’s can affect your ability to think quickly or remember things. Speech therapy can help with that too. SLPs use exercises to improve memory, attention, and problem-solving. By strengthening these skills, you’ll feel more confident speaking and keeping up with conversations. Plus, SLPs can teach you strategies to handle memory problems, so you stay independent and feel more in control of your day-to-day life.

5. Making Socializing Easier

Talking with friends or family can feel harder when you have Parkinson’s. It’s easy to get frustrated or feel left out. Speech therapy helps by giving you tools to communicate better, so you can stay connected with the people you care about. Some speech pathologists offer group sessions, where you can practice speaking with others who have Parkinson’s. It’s a great way to work on your communication skills in a supportive, friendly environment.

6. Supporting Caregivers

Caregivers are important, too! Speech pathologists often work with caregivers, teaching them ways to help with communication at home. They’ll show caregivers how to make conversations easier and support you in your progress.

7. Long-Term Management of Parkinson’s

Since Parkinson’s changes over time, it’s important to have long-term strategies. Speech therapy gives you exercises and tools to keep up with those changes, helping you manage your voice, speech, cognition, and even swallowing over the years. Regular check-ins with your therapist can help keep you on track.

Speech therapy can make a big difference for people with Parkinson’s. If you or a loved one is struggling with speech or communication, our team is here to help. Contact us today to learn more about how we can support you!