Parkinson's Symposium: Speech and Voice Changes in Parkinson's Disease (2020)

Meaghan Delaney, a speech-language pathologist, shared insights during this webinar about managing communication and swallowing difficulties in Parkinson's disease. She highlighted the impact of dopamine on voice and swallowing, advocating for frequent and intensive speech therapy that includes feedback and external rewards. Delaney addressed therapy options like Lee Silverman Voice Therapy (LSVT) and Speak Out therapy, emphasizing their positive effects on voice volume and quality, along with strategies for swallowing issues such as expiratory muscle strength training and video-assisted swallowing training.

The webinar suggested practical tips for managing swallowing difficulties, including smaller glasses and water bottles, pill intake with applesauce or water, and oral care. It also outlined ways to find a speech pathologist and utilize online voice therapy effectively during the COVID-19 pandemic, stressing the importance of early intervention for optimal therapy outcomes.

**Disclaimer: These sessions are designed to provide general education and are not intended for individual advice and/or clinical care. The information conveyed in this recording was accurate at the time of presentation.**