Speech Therapy for Parkinson's Disease
SPEAK OUT!® and LSVT LOUD® | Bribie Island & North Brisbane
Parkinson’s disease can affect communication, voice and swallowing. Many people notice changes such as a quieter voice, reduced speech clarity, difficulty being heard in conversations or changes in swallowing. Speech therapy can play an important role in helping people maintain their communication, confidence, and independence.
At Sound Abilities Speech Pathology, we provide evidence-based speech therapy for people living with Parkinson’s disease across Bribie Island, Moreton Bay and North Brisbane.
How Parkinson’s Can Affect Communication
Parkinson’s disease affects the brain’s production of dopamine, a chemical that helps control movement, including the muscles involved in speech and voice. Over time this can lead to changes such as:
These changes can impact everyday communication, social participation and quality of life. Speech therapy helps people strengthen their voice and develop strategies to communicate effectively.
Evidence-Based Parkinson’s Speech Therapy
We provide evidence-based therapy programs specifically designed for people with Parkinson’s disease, including:
LSVT LOUD®
LSVT LOUD® is an internationally recognised speech therapy program designed to improve vocal loudness, clarity and communication effectiveness for people with Parkinson’s disease. The program focuses on strengthening the voice and helping people speak with greater vocal effort so they can be heard more easily in everyday conversations.
SPEAK OUT!® Therapy
We also provide SPEAK OUT!® therapy, a program developed by the Parkinson Voice Project. This therapy focuses on helping individuals speak with intent, strengthening the connection between the brain and speech muscles to improve communication.
Swallowing Support
Some people with Parkinson’s also experience swallowing difficulties (dysphagia). Speech pathologists are trained to assess swallowing and provide strategies to help people eat and drink safely and comfortably. If needed, we can also assist with referrals for further swallowing investigations.
At Sound Abilities Speech Pathology, we provide evidence-based speech therapy for people living with Parkinson’s disease across Bribie Island, Moreton Bay and North Brisbane.
How Parkinson’s Can Affect Communication
Parkinson’s disease affects the brain’s production of dopamine, a chemical that helps control movement, including the muscles involved in speech and voice. Over time this can lead to changes such as:
- a softer or quieter voice
- speech that becomes harder to understand
- reduced facial expression
- difficulty being heard in noisy environments
- swallowing difficulties (dysphagia)
These changes can impact everyday communication, social participation and quality of life. Speech therapy helps people strengthen their voice and develop strategies to communicate effectively.
Evidence-Based Parkinson’s Speech Therapy
We provide evidence-based therapy programs specifically designed for people with Parkinson’s disease, including:
LSVT LOUD®
LSVT LOUD® is an internationally recognised speech therapy program designed to improve vocal loudness, clarity and communication effectiveness for people with Parkinson’s disease. The program focuses on strengthening the voice and helping people speak with greater vocal effort so they can be heard more easily in everyday conversations.
SPEAK OUT!® Therapy
We also provide SPEAK OUT!® therapy, a program developed by the Parkinson Voice Project. This therapy focuses on helping individuals speak with intent, strengthening the connection between the brain and speech muscles to improve communication.
Swallowing Support
Some people with Parkinson’s also experience swallowing difficulties (dysphagia). Speech pathologists are trained to assess swallowing and provide strategies to help people eat and drink safely and comfortably. If needed, we can also assist with referrals for further swallowing investigations.