At Neuro Speech Therapy, we specialize in cognitive rehabilitation for neurogenic and neurodegenerative conditions such as dementia and Parkinson’s disease, in order to help individuals achieve the highest level of independent function and optimize brain function and communication.
Have you noticed changes in your voice, ability to come up with the words you want to say, or difficulty remembering what you were just talking about? Do others describe your speech as ‘too soft’ or ‘mumbling’ or comment on your challenged communication abilities? These could all be speech-language changes related to your condition and can be addressed in speech therapy.
Parkinson’s Disease
Common symptoms of Parkinson’s disease is impaired speech functioning. Here is what to look for and what we work on:
- Slow rate of speech
- Speech that is difficult to
understand (mumbled or slurred speech) - Soft voice when speaking
- Monotone voice
- Short bursts of speech (sounds rushed)
Speech therapy can target both speech and voice to improve the clarity and effectiveness of your communication.
Speech pathologists at Neuro Speech Therapy are certified in a specialized program called Speak Out! By Parkinson Voice Project, a non-profit that aims to help those with Parkinson’s disease regain their voice and speak with intent.
Dementia
Primary Progressive Aphasia (PPA) is a neurological syndrome that leads to progressive loss of language function and word-finding difficulty and impairs a person’s ability to speak or comprehend language over time. It is caused by a neurodegenerative disease, such as Alzheimer’s Disease.
Symptoms often include:
- Difficulty with word finding
- Slow rate of speech
- Trouble labeling items, people, or places, naming familiar items or people
- Using vague language
- Challenges with using proper grammar and new impairments in spelling
- Difficulty understanding and following conversation
- Challenges with reading and writing (e.g., reading directions or signs, trouble with spelling)
- Decreased use of language
Speech Therapy can provide valuable interventions to maximize communication for as long as possible. Treatment can include stimulating the impaired abilities in order to strengthen and preserve function, introduce new communication and compensatory strategies to improve functional communication, and train family and caregivers to use communication strategies to effectively communicate with their loved ones.
Mild Cognitive Impairment
Mild Cognitive impairment is different from normal aging and is considered the intermediate step between aging and dementia. While Mild Cognitive Impairment may not tremendously impact your independence in everyday tasks, it can definitely affect your ease to complete moderately challenging tasks or activities, lead to greater frustration and embarrassment, and result in reluctance to engage in tasks or withdraw from being with others.
Common challenges include:
- Forgetting important information, such as appointments
- Trouble navigating familiar environments (e.g., trouble getting to your destination)
- Making impulsive or poor decisions (e.g., giving an excessively large or small tip at a restaurant)
- Feeling overwhelmed with decision making, following steps to complete a task, or following directions
Speech Therapy can help address these areas in order to improve your cognitive and communication abilities and maximize your ability to participate in meaningful activities. Treatment can include cognitive stimulation therapy, utilizing assistive technology, caregiver training, and memory strategies and approaches.