I Have Parkinson’s Disease. What’s Next? How Speech Therapy Can Help
Receiving a Parkinson’s disease diagnosis can bring a lot of questions. You may be wondering what to expect, how your symptoms might change, and what you can do to maintain your independence and quality of life. If you are feeling unsure about where to start, you are not alone.
While much of the conversation surrounding Parkinson’s disease focuses on movement, it can also affect your voice, communication, swallowing, and thinking skills. These changes are not always obvious at first, which is why understanding your options early can make a meaningful difference.
At Balanced Physical Therapy + Wellness in Las Cruces, New Mexico, Julianna Vidal, M.S., CCC-SLP, helps individuals with Parkinson’s disease understand how speech therapy can support their communication, swallowing, and everyday quality of life. You do not have to wait until symptoms become difficult to seek support. There are steps you can take now to help you prepare for what comes next.
Understanding Parkinson’s Disease
Parkinson’s disease is a progressive neurological condition that affects the nervous system and the brain’s ability to control movement. It is associated with reduced dopamine production in certain areas of the brain. Dopamine helps coordinate smooth, controlled movements, and changes in dopamine levels can contribute to common Parkinson’s symptoms.
These may include:
Tremors or shaking
Muscle stiffness and rigidity
Slower movements
Changes in balance and coordination
Changes in speech, voice, and facial expression
Difficulty swallowing
Changes in attention, memory, or other thinking skills
Not everyone experiences the same symptoms, and symptoms can change over time. You may notice movement changes first, while another person may experience a softer voice, difficulty being understood, or swallowing changes.
Parkinson’s disease affects more than movement, and your care plan should consider more than movement, too.
That is where a speech language pathologist can play an important role.
How Can Speech Therapy Help Someone With Parkinson’s Disease?
A speech language pathologist, also known as an SLP, is a healthcare professional who specializes in communication and swallowing. For people living with Parkinson’s disease, speech therapy can address changes that may affect everyday conversations, mealtimes, and participation in the activities that matter most.
Julianna Vidal, M.S., CCC-SLP, works with patients to identify their individual needs and develop strategies that support their communication and swallowing abilities.
Depending on your symptoms and goals, speech therapy may help you:
Speak more loudly and clearly. Parkinson’s disease can cause the voice to become softer or less expressive. Speech therapy can help you practice using a stronger, clearer voice so others can hear and understand you more easily.
Feel more confident in conversations. If you find yourself repeating words, avoiding group conversations, or feeling frustrated when others cannot hear you, speech therapy can help you develop strategies to communicate more effectively.
Support safe and efficient swallowing. Parkinson’s disease can affect the muscles and coordination involved in swallowing. An SLP can evaluate swallowing concerns and recommend individualized strategies or exercises when appropriate.
Address changes in thinking and communication. Some people experience changes in attention, memory, organization, or the ability to follow conversations. An SLP can help identify communication challenges and provide strategies to support everyday activities.
Maintain participation in daily life. Communication helps us connect with family, friends, coworkers, and our community. Speech therapy can help you work toward staying involved in the conversations and experiences that make life meaningful.
The goal is not simply to practice exercises during an appointment. It is to help you use the skills and strategies you learn in real life.
When Should You See a Speech Language Pathologist?
One of the most important things to know after a Parkinson’s diagnosis is that you do not have to wait until communication or swallowing becomes a major challenge to ask for help.
An early speech and swallowing evaluation can establish a baseline of your current abilities, identify subtle changes, and help determine whether treatment or monitoring would be beneficial. Your SLP can also help you understand what symptoms to watch for as your needs change.
Consider asking your healthcare provider about a speech therapy evaluation if:
Family members or friends frequently ask you to repeat yourself.
Your voice sounds softer or quieter than it used to.
You have difficulty being heard in restaurants or group settings.
Your speech feels less clear or expressive.
You cough or choke when eating or drinking.
Meals take longer than they used to, or swallowing feels more difficult.
You notice changes in attention, memory, or communication that affect daily life.
Some swallowing changes can occur without obvious coughing or choking, so it is important to discuss new swallowing concerns with your healthcare provider.
You do not need to have every symptom on this list to benefit from an evaluation. If you have recently been diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease, ask your neurologist or primary care provider whether an early speech and swallowing evaluation is appropriate for you.
Early intervention cannot stop Parkinson’s disease from progressing, but it may help you develop useful skills, establish a baseline, and prepare for changes before they significantly affect your daily life.
What Is SPEAK OUT! Therapy?
One specialized treatment option for people with Parkinson’s disease is SPEAK OUT!, a speech therapy program developed by Parkinson Voice Project.
The program focuses on helping individuals speak with intent. This means learning to use deliberate, purposeful speech rather than relying on automatic speaking patterns that may become softer or less clear with Parkinson’s disease.
With guidance from a trained speech language pathologist, treatment may include structured voice and speech exercises, practice with everyday communication, and a home exercise routine to reinforce skills.
The goal is to help participants improve their vocal loudness, clarity, and expression so they can communicate more effectively in daily life.
Julianna can help determine whether this approach is appropriate for your needs and discuss the speech therapy options available to support your goals.
What Can I Expect From a Speech Therapy Evaluation?
If you have never worked with a speech language pathologist before, you may not know what to expect. That is completely understandable.
A speech and swallowing evaluation is an opportunity to discuss your concerns, ask questions, and better understand how Parkinson’s disease may be affecting you.
During an evaluation, your SLP may:
Ask about your diagnosis, symptoms, medical history, and daily communication challenges.
Assess aspects of your voice, speech clarity, and communication.
Discuss any swallowing difficulties or changes you have noticed.
Evaluate other relevant communication or cognitive concerns.
Help you identify personal goals for therapy.
Recommend treatment options, strategies, or additional assessment when appropriate.
Your experience and goals matter. You may want to feel more confident speaking with your grandchildren, participate more comfortably in conversations with friends, or make mealtimes feel safer. These everyday goals can help guide your treatment plan.
You will also have an opportunity to ask questions and learn what steps may be helpful moving forward.
Living With Parkinson’s Disease: You Do Not Have to Figure Everything Out Today
A Parkinson’s diagnosis can make the future feel uncertain. You may have questions you are not sure how to ask, or you may be trying to understand which healthcare professionals can help you along the way.
You do not have to figure everything out at once.
Building a care team that understands Parkinson’s disease can help you feel more informed and supported. Depending on your needs, that team may include your neurologist, primary care provider, physical therapist, occupational therapist, and speech language pathologist.
Each professional can support a different part of your health and daily life. Speech therapy is one way to address communication and swallowing concerns while developing strategies that support your independence and connection with others.
Most importantly, you are still you, and your voice deserves to be heard. With the right guidance, you can take meaningful steps toward managing symptoms, staying connected with the people you love, and continuing to do the things that matter to you.
Take the Next Step With Balanced Physical Therapy + Wellness
If you or someone you love has recently been diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease, you do not have to navigate the next steps alone.
Julianna Vidal, M.S., CCC-SLP, provides speech language pathology services through Balanced Physical Therapy + Wellness in Las Cruces, New Mexico. She can help you explore whether speech therapy may be beneficial and identify options based on your individual needs.
You deserve clear information, compassionate support, and a care team that listens to your concerns.
Ready to learn more about speech therapy for Parkinson’s disease?
Contact Balanced Physical Therapy + Wellness in Las Cruces at 575-515-0101 to ask about speech language pathology services and your next steps.
Your voice matters. Let’s work together to help you keep using it.
