I have the privilege of working with a client in their 60's who has been diagnosed with Parkinson's Disease (PD). They are extremely frustrated with their situation and I hope to help ease their frustrations. As with many PD clients, we have begun working on loudness and increasing breathing capacity through exercises. Both are common symptoms of PD. Here is some quick information about the disease.
The Parkinson's Disease Foundation
Statistics
- Parkinson's Disease affects as many as 1 million Americans.
- 60,000 people are diagnosed every year.
- 4% of people are diagnosed before 50 years of age.
The National Center for Voice and Speech
- 75-90% of people with PD have a speech or voice disorders.
- Speech Characteristics:
- reduced loudness
- monopitch
- hoarseness
- breathy voice
- articulation errors
- PD patients may not be aware of their soft speech.
- Swallowing Disorder Symptoms:
- Coughing
- Choking
- Difficulty swallowing food and medication
- Drooling
- Weight loss
People with PD benefit from therapy that focuses on the loudness of their voice. As SLPs (in training) we need to help these clients retrain their perception of loudness. I also use a feather from a feather duster for breathing exercises. These items were suggested to me by the client's previous graduate clinician.
Things I Have Learned
I have learned that collaborating with my peers is probably one of the best resources. If you can talk to the clinician who treated your client, do it and ask questions.As a first year, I feel like all I do is ask questions. But it is better to ask, than to walk around lost and confused. Plus, supervisors like to teach you their way of doing things and it helps build a relationship between you and your supervisor.
Laura
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