People with Parkinson’s disease (PD) may notice changes in or difficulty chewing, eating, speaking, swallowing, or managing saliva (drooling). These changes are more likely to occur and tend to worsen as PD progresses and the muscles in the face, mouth, and throat are affected. Here are some resources to understand speech, swallowing, and drooling issues in PD, how speech-language pathologists determine the extent of the changes, and what can be done to compensate or make swallowing safer to prevent aspiration.
Voice and Speech
Davis Phinney and Kelsey Phinney Practice Vocal Exercises for Parkinson's
By the Davis Phinney Foundation, April 15, 2020
In this 23-minute episode of The Parkinson's Podcast, Davis Phinney and his daughter and podcast host, Kelsey Phinney, practice and explain some vocal warmup exercises before Davis sings a few pop songs. Davis's voice gets louder and clearer over the course of the session and is a good demonstration of the benefit of speech therapy and daily practice of speech exercises, including singing, for those with Parkinson's.
Language Impairment In Parkinson's Disease
By Parkinsons Society British Columbia, September 21, 2021
In this one-hour webinar, speech language pathologist Jamie Russell discusses communication and swallowing challenges common in people with Parkinson's, general interventions and self-management strategies for patients and caregivers, strategies for working through difficulties such as following complex commands, word retrieval, and organizing thought in conversation, as well as general swallowing strategies.
Webinar Notes are on the Stanford PD Community Blog.
Let's Talk About Talking with Parkinson's Disease
Published by American Parkinson Disease Association, August, 2019
In this short interview with a speech-language pathologist (SLP), the interviewer asks about common reasons someone with PD will see an SLP, what signs indicate it is time to see an SLP, what a typical SLP therapy session involves, reasons someone with mild PD symptoms may benefit from seeing and SLP, and thoughts about singing and choir programs for PD. There are tips for having a conversation in a loud room, and more tips and takeaways.
Make Your Voice Heard! Healthy Communication and Parkinson's Disease
Published by American Parkinson Disease Association, 2019
This 32-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.
Movement & Speech
By American Parkinson Disease Association, March 25, 2021
This 44-minute webinar is part of the series Let's Keep Moving With APDA. Speech-language pathology (SLP) services have been proven to be effective in improving functional, everyday communication. Lisa Sommers, SLP, describes the sometimes subtle changes in breath support, voice production, speed and accuracy, inflection of voice, facial expressions and swallowing before explaining what to expect from SLP evaluation and treatment.
Webinar Notes are on the Stanford PD Community Blog.
Parkinson's and Speech
By PMD Alliance, December 11, 2020
In this very informative hour, Nicole Herndon, CCC-SLP, spoke about why speech changes occur in PD as well as treatment options and strategies for both the speaker and listener to improve communication.
Speech and Communication Problems in Parkinson's
Published by Parkinson's UK, 2024
This 32-page booklet looks at what difficulties you may have, what causes them and what you can do to manage them.
Speech and Language Therapy and Parkinson's
Published by Parkinson's UK, 2025
Short booklet looks at what difficulties associated with speech and communication, and how speech and language therapy can help.
Speech Therapy and Tools
5 Speech Therapy Tools to Improve Speech in Parkinson's Disease
Published by Aptus Speech Therapy, March 31, 2022
This list suggests five tools that may help some people with PD communicate when remediation therapy is insufficient or unsuccessful. No registration is required to read the post.
9 Ways to Improve Speech in Parkinson's Disease
By Megan S. Sutton, MS, CCC-SLP. Published by Tactus Therapy
This short list includes four methods of remediation (addressing the underlying problem), three methods of compensation (tools to offset the problem), and two methods of participation (living life despite the problem).
Speaking Effectively, A Strategic Guide For Speaking and Swallowing
Published by American Parkinson Disease Association, 2010
This booklet includes self-evaluations and caregiver surveys to determine at what point professional help is needed. Professional examinations are described along with recommendations for both home and professional intervention to improve speech, make eating easier and safer, and reduce drooling. Maintaining communication to reduce isolation is encouraged.
Swallowing and Aspiration
Managing Swallowing Changes in PSP, CBD, and MSA
By CurePSP, June 27, 2022
In this 75-minute webinar speech language pathologist Julie Hicks has just one slide specific to PSP, CBD, and MSA. The rest of her presentation provides general information about working with a SLP, what swallowing evaluation looks like, and what treatment might involve. In the question-and-answer time Julie talks about when to see an SLP, the use of feeding tubes, practical tips families can use to help people slow down and control impulsivity while eating, and how to find an SLP with experience treating those with parkinsonism disorders.
Webinar Notes are on the Brain Support Network Blog.
Patient Videos
By Ianessa Humbert, PhD
Dr. Humbert has created informative videos to help viewers understand normal swallowing, swallowing in older adults, aspiration, and residue, as well as how clinical swallowing evaluations, modified barium swallowing studies, and fiberoptic endoscopic evaluation of swallowing are done.
Saliva and Swallowing Challenges
By Parkinson Canada, December 16, 2021
In this one-hour webinar Ianessa Humbert, PhD, discusses the normal swallowing changes that occur with aging, how swallowing issues are assessed, what happens when food goes the wrong way, and swallowing treatment options. She also briefly talks about drooling and dry mouth assessment and treatments.
Swallowing
Published by What-When-How, In Depth Tutorials and Information
This short webpage explains the typical sequence of movements that transport food and liquids from the mouth to the stomach. PD often affects the function of these muscles, causing swallowing problems or drooling. Significant swallowing problems can be life threatening. Speech-language pathology can help a person improve control of these muscles.
Swallowing and Saliva Management
By Parkinson Society British Columbia, February 4, 2020
This one-hour talk is in three parts. What a speech language pathologist (SLP) is, how they can help someone with PD. Why you should be concerned about swallowing problems, some indications you may have a swallowing issue, what a swallowing assessment by an SLP might look like, and recommendations an SLP might make to improve swallowing. And, why you should be concerned about having either too much or too little saliva and how to manage either situation.
The IDDSI Framework
Published by International Dysphagia Diet Standardization Initiative
The IDDSI framework includes eight levels, numbered 0 through 7. Drinks are classified from levels 0 to 4, while foods are categorized from levels 3 to 7. The system provides standardized terms to describe food textures and drink thickness. IDDSI testing methods are used to confirm the flow or texture of a specific item. These pages explain the IDDSI framework, provide detailed definitions, and outline how to test foods and drinks to determine their appropriate level.
What is Aspiration?
By the Davis Phinney Foundation, August 17, 2018
This six-minute video uses slow motion animation to demonstrate how the body’s anatomy contributes to both normal swallowing and aspiration of material into the airway.
What Types of Tests and Techniques are there for Swallowing Problems?
By Parkinson's Foundation
Four-minute video features Michael S. Okun, MD.
Speech and Swallowing
My Parkinson's Story: Speech and Swallowing
By Veteran's Health Administration
This eight-minute video alternates between an interview with a man and his wife and healthcare professionals. The man and his wife share how Parkinson's has affected his speech and swallowing. The healthcare professionals explain how Parkinson's affects speech and swallowing. Speech therapy can improve speech volume and enunciation as well as swallowing control and drooling. They also advise specific changes to eating habits and avoiding some types of foods to prevent choking.
Speech and Swallowing, a Body Guide to Parkinson's Disease
By Marjorie L. Johnson, MA, CCC-SLP. Published by Parkinson's Foundation, 2019
This 48-page booklet describes speech, swallowing, memory and thinking changes in PD as well as the anatomy of speech production and swallowing, swallowing challenges and getting the help you need.
En Español: Enfermedad de Parkinson: Dificultades con el Habla y la Deglución (tragar).
Speech and Swallowing Problems
Published by National Parkinson Foundation (Now the Parkinson's Foundation)
Webpage with self-assessments to determine if professional evaluation is needed for speech or voice and swallowing problems. Additioinal links to information on treatment for speech problems and a stronger voice.
Drooling
10 Tips for Managing Drooling in Parkinson’s
By Maria De León, MD. Published by defeatparkinsons.com, July 31, 2014
Sailorrhea, or drooling, refers to pooling of saliva in the mouth. It occurs in around 50-80% of all Parkinson’s patients, particularly men. This blog post explains the cause, risk of aspiration, anxiety, and social embarrassment, with 10 helpful tips & treatment options to help with this pesky problem.
Drooling
Published by the Parkinson's Foundation
Excessive drooling, called sialorrhea, is a common non-motor symptom of PD and can cause awkwardness in social situations. Counterintuitively, the amount of saliva your body produces is usually normal, but swallowing issues – swallowing less often or not completely – lead to saliva pooling in the mouth. This page discusses both pharmaceutical and non-pharmaceutical options to manage drooling.
Saliva Control
Published by MSA Trust, June, 2023
This four-page fact sheet is aimed at those experiencing difficulties with saliva control. It provides information about the possible problems and advises on what can be done to manage these symptoms. MSA is a form of parkinsonism, sometimes referred to as ‘Parkinson’s Plus.’ It shares many gait, balance, and non-motor symptoms, like sailorrhea (drooling).
Understanding Drooling in Parkinson's Disease
Published by American Parkinson Disease Association, March 2022
This two-page fact sheet provides a brief overview of sialorrhea (drooling) as a non-motor symptom of PD. It also offers solutions to drooling, including non-pharmacological and oral medication treatment options, and information about botulinum toxin injections.
Swallowing and Drooling
Eating, Swallowing and Saliva Control in Parkinson's
Published by Parkinson's UK, 2013
This 20-page information sheet explains difficulties associated with eating and swallowing, as well as producing too much or too little saliva. Information and tips for family and friends are shared.
Oral Dysfunction in Parkinson's Disease: Swallowing Problems and Drooling
Published by American Parkinson Disease Association
This blog post explains the complexities of swallowing, why swallowing is affected by PD, and signs that may indicate someone with PD has difficulty swallowing. It also provides an overview of the two main types of swallowing evaluations and what can be done if a swallowing issue is found. Drooling is also briefly discussed, including solutions.
Last updated September 2025 by Stanford Parkinson's Community Outreach.