Abby Barnes, M.S., CCC-SLP
It’s estimated that most people with Parkinson’s will develop a speech problem that requires support from a speech therapist. However, speech therapy for Parkinson’s can also treat cognitive changes and swallowing difficulties. It’s best to begin Parkinson's disease treatments as soon as symptoms arise, in order to help prevent the further loss of function over time. That's why it's important to know the signs that speech therapy for Parkinson's may be needed.
Key takeaways
Voice and speech symptoms of Parkinson's may include a quiet, breathy voice; slurred or mumbled speech; or difficulty being understood by others.
Swallowing symptoms may include difficult swallowing food or liquids, coughing when eating or drinking, or a feeling like something is stuck in the throat.
Cognitive symptoms may include problems with memory, attention, or problem-solving, or having a hard time recalling the word you want to say.
If you have Parkinson’s disease and think you may be seeing any of these symptoms, contact a speech therapist for an evaluation.
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Get startedVoice and speech symptoms of Parkinson’s
Having a breathy voice
Speaking quietly
Speaking slowly
Difficulty being understood by others
Speaking in a monotone voice
Swallowing symptoms of Parkinson’s
Difficulty swallowing food or liquids
Choking or near choking experiences
Coughing with food or liquids
Taking a longer time to eat
Food feeling “stuck” in your throat
A wet-sounding or gurgly voice after mealtimes
Drooling
Cognitive-communication symptoms of Parkinson’s
Difficulty with attention
Issues with problem solving
Difficulty finding the words you want to say
Takes longer to process information
Speech therapy is a key part of Parkinson's disease treatment, helping support issues with speaking, cognitive skills, and swallowing.
When should you see a speech therapist for Parkinson’s disease?
The American Parkinson’s Disease Association offers a general list of signs that speech therapy may be needed:
You feel like your voice is hoarse or breathy.
You clear your throat to get your voice to “turn on.”
You feel like you’re running out of air while speaking.
Other people often ask you to repeat yourself.
You take a long time to finish a meal.
You’re usually the last one at the table at mealtimes.
You are losing weight or eating less.
You have a frequent runny nose while eating or drinking.
If you have Parkinson’s disease and are seeing any of the symptoms in this article, contact a speech therapist. Even if you think you might be noticing some changes but aren’t entirely sure, it’s still important to see a professional. Some of these changes in function can occur subtly. A trained speech therapist can detect these symptoms before they may be fully apparent to you.
Even if your symptoms seem minor to you, having an evaluation with a speech therapist allows you to establish a relationship with them. The speech therapist will get to know you and understand your concerns. They will give you exercises and lifestyle changes to help prevent symptoms from worsening.
Get matched with a speech therapist who's right for you
Get started nowYour speech therapist can track your symptoms over time. Starting therapy early allows your therapist to assess your baseline of function, which enables them to better identify any changes as they develop.
Make sure to tell your therapist what you’d like to focus on. Maybe you don’t want other people to keep asking you to “speak up,” or you’d like to be able to eat your favorite foods more easily. Share your thoughts about treatment with your speech therapist. Therapy should be a collaborative effort!
Learn how online speech therapy compares to in-person therapy for adults who have had a stroke or other neurological medical event.
How to get started with an Expressable speech therapist
Expressable provides online speech therapy to people of all ages. We employ more than 275 licensed speech therapists, many with deep experience treating people with Parkinson’s.
Online speech therapy is done via video conferencing on a computer or tablet. You’ll meet face-to-face with your speech therapist, just like you would at a clinic or office, but from the comfort of your own home. Your caregivers or loved ones are welcome to join as well.
During sessions, your speech therapist will teach you exercises you can complete at home to strengthen your skills. They’ll also guide your caregivers in how to best support you.
Contact Expressable today to get matched with a speech therapist with experience treating the symptoms of Parkinson's. We’re here to answer your questions and help you decide on the right next steps.
Frequently asked questions (FAQs)
Some early symptoms of Parkinson's disease may include tremors in the hand or fingers, handwriting becoming smaller, sudden movements while sleeping, constipation, stiffness in the arms and legs, or a soft, low, breathy voice.
Parkinson’s disease can begin to affect a person’s speech in its early stages. In fact, changes in voice or speech can be among the first signs of Parkinson’s. As the condition progresses, the muscle control needed for speech, chewing, and swallowing can decline. That’s why it’s so important to begin working with a speech therapist early.
Parkinson’s is a neurological disease that affects the nerves supporting the muscles needed for speech, voice, and swallowing. Because of this, many people with Parkinson’s have difficulty producing a strong voice. Their speech may sound breathy, quiet, slurred, or unclear. They may also have problems with swallowing food or liquids, called dysphagia. Speech therapy is an effective treatment for both speech and swallowing difficulties.
Yes, speech therapy is one of the most effective Parkinson’s disease treatments for problems with speech, voice, swallowing, and cognition. Proven treatments for issues with speech or voice clarity include the SPEAK OUT! and LSVT LOUD programs. Speech therapy can help improve swallowing skills and safety, and it can also treat changes in cognitive abilities, such as attention and memory issues. Because of the progressive nature of Parkinson’s disease, if you’re having any speech or swallowing symptoms, it’s best to start speech therapy as soon as possible.
How Expressable Can Help
Concerned your child isn't reaching age-expected milestones? Looking for communication support from a professional? Expressable is a national online speech and occupational therapy practice serving children and adults. We treat all major areas of communication, feeding, and developmental skills, offer flexible hours including evenings and weekends, and accept most major health insurance plans. We’re proud to have earned more than 4,500 5-star reviews from our clients (4.83/5 average).
Our therapy model is centered on parent and caregiver involvement. Research proves that empowering caregivers to participate in their loved one’s therapy leads to better outcomes. That’s why we combine live, 1-on-1 speech and occupational therapy with personalized education and home practice activities for faster progress.
