What is SPEAK OUT!®?
The SPEAK OUT!® Therapy Program, developed by Parkinson Voice Project®, helps people with Parkinson's regain and retain their speech and swallowing. The program combines education for the patient and family, individual speech therapy, daily home practice using workbooks, flashcards, and online practice sessions, along with weekly speech groups, and regular re-evaluations.
Individual SPEAK OUT!® consists of 8 sessions twice weekly for four weeks. In this four-week span, clients often report improvement in their speaking, their ability to be heard, and their overall quality of life.
Group SPEAK OUT!® sessions are offered to clients who have graduated from the 8 individual sessions. This group therapy portion of the program meets once weekly. The sessions provide maintenance for skills obtained during SPEAK OUT!® and are a source of camaraderie for the members.
The individual and group SPEAK OUT!® programs were developed at Parkinson Voice Project in Richardson, TX. For more information about SPEAK OUT!® please visit the Parkinson Voice Project website.
When and where can I receive services?
Individual SPEAK OUT!® sessions are available in-person or via tele-practice. Individual therapy sessions are generally offered at various times during the week.
SPEAK OUT!® Group sessions meet in person:
Tuesday afternoon from 12:30-1:30 pm.
Tele-practice group sessions meet via Zoom:
Wednesdays from 12:00-1:00 pm
Wednesdays from 3:00-4:00 pm
Wednesdays from 4:30-5:30pm
All in-person sessions occur at Arkansas State University Speech and Hearing Center. All tele-practice sessions occur via Zoom.
I have Parkinson’s disease. When should I begin seeing a speech therapist?
According to studies, up to 89% of people with Parkinson’s disease develop difficulty communicating and up to 95% develop difficulty swallowing. To postpone and prevent this decline, it is optimal to begin speech therapy as soon as possible. Participation in individual and then group SPEAK OUT!® sessions can change the effects that Parkinson’s disease has on your voice. Muscles become weak because they are not used to their full capacity, not because Parkinson’s is making them weak. SPEAK OUT!® requires you to use the muscles for speaking and swallowing to their full potential to prevent decline.
What costs are associated with these services?
Arkansas State University Speech and Hearing Center offers individual and group SPEAK OUT!® sessions at no charge.
