Parkinson's disease is a progressive neurological disorder that affects movement, including speech and swallowing. Speech therapy can help people with Parkinson's improve their speech and swallowing abilities.
One of the main symptoms of Parkinson's disease is difficulty with movement, including muscle stiffness and tremors. These symptoms can make it difficult for a person to speak clearly and move food and liquid safely from the mouth to the stomach when swallowing.
Speech therapy can help address these challenges by providing exercises and techniques to improve muscle control and coordination. For example, a speech therapist may work with a person with Parkinson's to improve their breath support, which can help with speaking more clearly and loudly. The therapist may also provide exercises to improve tongue and jaw movements, which are necessary for swallowing.
In addition to improving speech and swallowing abilities, speech therapy can also help a person with Parkinson's to maintain their ability to communicate effectively. This is important because communication is essential for maintaining social connections and quality of life.
Overall, speech therapy can be an important part of a comprehensive treatment plan for people with Parkinson's disease. It can help improve speech and swallowing abilities, and maintain the ability to communicate effectively. We HIGHLY recommend speech therapy for ALL people with Parkinson's. Treatment early in the disease process can help prevent decline.