Voice & Swallow

Group of six people sitting on a wooden bench, overlooking a pine forest and mountain range under a cloudy sky.

Do you or your loved one experience:

  • quiet voice

  • slurred articulation

  • monotone pitch

  • rough or breathy vocal quality

  • flat facial expressions

  • drooling

  • difficulty swallowing

Voice Therapy

The Neuro Wellness Center is committed to providing preventative care and treatment of voice and swallowing dysfunction within the Parkinson’s community. Providing the research based Speak Out!® Therapy Program, developed by Parkinson Voice Project, which helps people with Parkinson’s and related disorders regain and retain their speech and swallowing.

Participants report improvements in:

  • Volume and vocal projection

  • Ability to be understood

  • Communicative participation

  • Pitch range

  • Vocal quality

  • Swallowing and drooling

  • Overall quality of life

A man in a green and black plaid shirt is speaking or singing into a microphone in front of a group of people sitting at a long table in a well-lit, outdoor, wooden pavilion.
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With Parkinson’s, your muscles aren’t necessarily weak — your brain just isn’t telling them to move to their full range of motion due to the lack of dopamine. SPEAK OUT!® teaches you how to bypass the impaired basal ganglia circuit by activating a different motor system so you can speak clearly and confidently again.

People with Parkinson’s have much more control over their movements than they might think

Misconceptions with Parkinson’s

Importance of Early Intervention

Coastal scene with rocky shoreline, moss-covered rocks, tide pools, a sandy beach, and a cliff covered with dense green trees under a clear sky.

Early intervention with SPEAK OUT!® is essential as Parkinson’s disease causes gradual, progressive changes to the voice, speech and swallowing muscles—sometimes before the person or their loved ones even realize it.

Research shows that:

  • The earlier therapy begins, the greater the gains in loudness, clarity, and voice quality.

  • When voice muscles are addressed before significant atrophy, weakness or rigidity sets in, it’s easier to maintain strength and build lasting habits.

  • Early therapy helps slow decline in communication abilities, reducing frustration and social withdrawal.

  • People who start early often need less effort to maintain improvements over time, especially when participating in follow up Speak Out!® Group Therapy Sessions.

Prolong

Your

Swallow

Pneumonia is the leading cause of death amongst individuals with Parkinson’s

Pneumonia often results from swallowing difficulties that increase the risk of aspiration. SPEAK OUT!® therapy is vital because it addresses more than just voice and communication challenges—it also plays a crucial role in maintaining and prolonging swallowing function.

SPEAK OUT!® helps reduce the risk of aspiration-related complications, supporting both safety and quality of life. Early and consistent participation in the SPEAK OUT!® program promotes long-term health.

  • Initial Speak Out!® Evaluation

  • Individual Speak Out!® Therapy Sessions

  • Home Exercise Program & Online Access to online materials

  • Speak Out!® Therapy Groups (following completion of individual therapy sessions)

  • Speak Out!® Refreshers/Re-Evaluations

Speak Out! Therapy Components

Schedule
A colorful circular diagram illustrating the Parkinson Voice Project's therapy program called 'SPEAK OUT!'. It has seven segments including evaluation, booklet & flashcards, informational video, individual therapy, therapy groups, refreshers, and daily practice with each segment labeled with specific activities.

 FAQs

  • Speak Out!® consists of individual treatment sessions twice a week for 4 weeks, then transitioning to participation in Speak Out!® Group Sessions.

  • Although participation is not required, it is highly recommended in order to maintain improvements in loudness and clarity of speech and generalize trained strategies to settings outside therapy. It’s not about getting louder once—it’s about keeping your voice strong, clear, and confident for the long term.

  • Absolutely. We know that Parkinson’s and other neurological conditions can make getting to a clinic challenging — not only for the person receiving therapy, but also for family members and care partners who often juggle work, appointments, and transportation needs.

    To remove these barriers, we offer the convenience of online or in home sessions you can join from the comfort of your home.

    With our virtual therapy, you get the same personalized, evidence-based care — delivered in a way that supports your comfort, energy, and independence.

  • Each Speak Out!® session is just 30 minutes, making it easier to fit into your day without the stress, fatigue, or time commitment of traveling with our online and in home options.