Speech / Voice Therapy and Exercises
As Parkinson's progresses, the person with PD may become harder to understand. Their voice often becomes softer (hypophonia) or hoarse. Their face may become more “masked” or expressionless. Their voice may sound monotone or have less inflection. They may speak faster (festinating speech), mumble, or repeat words or phrases (cluttering or palilalia). Together these symptoms are known as hypokinetic dysarthria.
Speech/language pathologists, also called speech therapists, are specialists in communication disorders. They can help those with Parkinson's compensate for these changes. They can also help with swallowing issues. Many speech therapists combine speech, voice, and cognitive exercises to also compensate for slowed thinking and attention issues.
Finding A Speech Therapist in Northern California
If you live on the San Francisco Peninsula or in the South Bay, Stanford Parkinson's has a list of speech therapists with experience treating those with Parkinson's.
If you live elsewhere in Northern California, contact the APDA Information & Referral Center at Stanford for a referral to a speech/language pathologist near you. Many of these speech therapists have experience treating those with Parkinson's.
If You Don't Use It, You Lose It!
For those with Parkinson's disease (PD) exercise is as important as medications, and that includes exercise of the muscles that control speech. Along with our lists of live online exercise classes and PD exercise videos, this page lists speech/voice exercises to do at-home.
About Speech and Speech Therapy | Speech Therapy Programs | Virtual Speech/Voice Classes | PD Virtual Singing Groups | Speech/Voice Exercise Videos | Post Speech Therapy Maintenance Programs
How Can Speech Therapy Help with Thinking Changes in Parkinson's
By the Parkinson's Foundation, August 16, 2021
Darla Freeman, SLPD, took about 20 minutes to explain that speech pathologists can help with speech enunciation and voice volume, and also with cognitive problems, memory, word finding, the ability to think of what you want to say, and drooling. She provided some tips for each of those challenges and talked about how speech therapy is conducted before answering listener questions for the rest of the hour.
Make Your Voice Heard! Healthy Communication and Parkinson's Disease
By the American Parkinson Disease Association, 2019
This 17-page booklet describes changes to the voice, speech, facial expression, and cognition due to Parkinson's disease, along with treatment options and things you can do right now to compensate for these changes.
Speaking Effectively, A Strategic Guide For Speaking and Swallowing
Published by the American Parkinson Disease Association, 2010
Free 41-page booklet discusses qualities of speech and communication, the role of a speech-language pathologist in treating Parkinson's, and includes exercises for speech and voice.
Speech and language therapy and Parkinson's
Published by Parkinson's UK, October 2013
Good overview of when someone should see a speech therapist and how speech therapists can help with communication.
Lee Silverman Voice Treatment (LSVT)
LSVT-LOUD is an intensive behavioral treatment program that requires sixteen therapy sessions in one month with a trained speech therapist. The primary goal is to help improve vocal loudness. As a result of therapy, improvements in speech clarity and breathing are often seen. DVDs are also sold for at-home treatment.
Parkinson Voice Project
This nonprofit offers SPEAK OUT!® and LOUD Crowd® therapy programs. Treatment begins with a speech evaluation, followed by Parkinson's information sessions and SPEAK OUT!® training with six weeks of follow up. Participants graduate to the LOUD Crowd® Live speech daily home practice, weekly online singalongs, SPEAK OUT!® refresher courses, and more.
Online SPEAK OUT! Home Practice
By Parkinson Voice Project (Richardson, TX)
Cost: Free
Classes: speech therapy exercise warm ups led by a speech language pathologist (SLP), who may answer listener questions, followed by reading in sync with the SLP for enunciation, volume, and inflection projection practice
Class times (PT):
- Monday-Friday: 8am
Duration: 30 minutes
Recordings of prior classes are below the live stream window. People who have completed SPEAK OUT! speech therapy for PD will benefit most from these practices.
Parkinson's Sing-Along
By Parkinson Voice Project (Richardson, TX)
Cost: Free
Classes: weekly live interactive sing-along with a two-piece band, lead by a speech language pathologist. Words are provided on the screen for every song. In addition to singing, participants are given opportunities to unmute and practice speaking with trivia questions, etc.
Class times (PT):
- Thursdays: 7:30am
Duration: 30 minutes
A recording of the most recent sing-along is available to practice with between sing-alongs. People who have completed SPEAK OUT! speech therapy for PD will benefit most from these practices.
PFNCA Online Wellness Speech and Voice Practice
By Parkinson's Foundation of the National Capital Area (Silver Spring, MD)
Cost: $50/year (unlimited classes)
Classes: Communication Club, social hour
Class Time (PT):
- Monday: noon (Communication Club)
- Tuesday: 11am (Communication Club)
- Wednesday: noon (Communication Club), 1pm (social hour)
- Thursday: 11:30am (Communication Club)
- Friday: 11:15am (Communication Club)
Watch sample classes here.
Voice Therapy for Parkinson's and Tremble Clefs
By JCC on the Cohn Campus (Tampa, FL)
Cost: JCC Membership $39/month (special rates and promotions may apply)
Class addresses voice projection, breathing and posture.
Class Times (PT):
- Monday: 12pm
- Wednesday: 12pm
Duration: 60 minutes
Must be a member of JCC on the Cohn Campus to participate.
Your Morning Wake Up Call
Mondays at 9am PT join a communication and cognition exercise class that helps you start the day with a strong voice and a clear mind. Each session is led by a speech-language pathologist and includes breath, voice, and speech exercises in conjunction with vocal + cognitive and conversational exercise challenges that change every week.
Sing for PD
By Dance for PD (New York, NY)
Cost: Free
Class focuses on breathing and vocal technique, rhythm, melody, song interpretation, and creativity.
Class Times (PT):
- Friday: 10am
Duration: 60 minutes
Note: Sing for PD has a hiatus between class sessions.
Tremolos
An enthusiastic 60 minutes of vocal exercises and songs that are guaranteed to put a smile on your face and have your toes tapping.
- 1st Three Tuesdays, 11am PT
Tremolos
A choral group of people with PD, their caregivers and loved ones. Rehearsals have body movement connected to sustained sound-making, choral rhythmic chanting, community singing, rhythmic songs, choralography (moving to music) using call and echo, call and response, lip and tongue trills, staccato voiced consonants, big voice projection, and “bouncing” the diaphragm to coordinate the mind and body together and ameliorate PD symptoms. Donation-based class.
- Thursdays, 1-2:30pm PT
Email: Lauren Carley lacarley@gmail.com to join.
Dual Task Training For Parkinson
Publisher: Triad Solutions, Inc. (Colorado)
Dual Task Training is combining speech therapy with physical movement and cognitive tasks. It has been shown to be the most comprehensive and fun type of speech therapy. This page has seven short dual task exercise videos plus one video of aquatic dual task training.
Keep On Moving, Exercises to do at Home
Publisher: Keep It On
Number five on this page of short exercise videos is an eight-minute breath and voice exercise video to enhance breathing, voice loudness and articulation.
Get LOUD! Stay LOUD!
By Get LOUD! Stay LOUD!
Cost: $34.99/month or $349.99/year, first month free
Online post speech therapy maintenance with a speech language pathologist (SLP) trained in either LSVT LOUD or Speak OUT!
Includes 15+ voice practice sessions per week as well as facial exercises, articulation practice, and more.
LOUD Crowd
By Talach Speech Therapy
Cost: Free
Class: LOUD Crowd
Class times (PT):
- Tuesday: 1pm
Participants must have undergone therapy for the SPEAK OUT!® program and already have a workbook for home practice.
Contact Sarah Talach or 925-232-1868 to sign up.
LSVT LOUD Homework Helper
Publisher: LSVT Global, Inc. Cost: $28 for DVD or download; $15/year streaming
Speech exercises for people with Parkinson's Disease and other neurological conditions. Available in English and Cantonese.
Voice Aerobics Post-Therapy Strengthening Program
By Voice Aerobics (Punta Gorda, FL)
A whole-body voice strengthening program, designed to serve as post speech therapy maintenance, developed by speech language pathologist Mary Spemulli.
Mary has made the program available on DVD and added fun speech practice tools, a speech volume reinforcement tool, and more. She also offers speech therapy and coaching via Zoom. (Telemedicine rates start at $40/30 minutes)
Before purchasing any products it is a good idea to watch her video, Speech Therapy and Beyond for Parkinson's Disease, in which she explains who benefits from speech therapy and the most effective speech therapy programs for those with PD.
Last updated January 2025 by Stanford Parkinson's Community Outreach
