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FLORIDA: Speech Therapy Program Aimed At Assisting Parkinson's Patients By Diane C. Lade Staff writer Posted January 15 2004 The same muscular deterioration that makes it difficult for those with Parkinson's disease to walk or hold a pen also can make it hard for them to speak loudly and clearly. And the sensory problems that come with the disease can keep a patient from admitting he or she has a problem. "They often deny they have a soft voice. To them, it sounds normal. They'll insist family members who can't hear them must need a hearing aid," said Lorraine Olson Ramig, a speech pathology professor at the University of Colorado in Boulder. She created the Lee Silverman Voice Treatment program, named after one of her former patients 15 years ago, to tackle the vocal and swallowing problems caused by Parkinson's. Extensive clinical trials have shown the treatment benefits about 90 percent of participants. Ramig will be in Boca Raton today and Friday to train speech clinicians interested in the program. There are about 2,000 certified Lee Silverman therapists worldwide. Patients and caregivers can learn more about the program during a free, two-hour information session beginning at 12:30 p.m. Friday at the Boca Raton Marriott, 5150 Town Center Circle. Those interested must register through Take Charge! Cure Parkinson's, the nonprofit group sponsoring the event, by calling 561-620-1970 or online at www.cureparkinsons.org. Speech clinicians interested in the training can register through the Lee Silverman Voice Treatment Foundation at 888- 606-5788 or www.lsvt.org. Fees are $300 students, $500 for professionals. Susan Levy, a speech therapist working in south Palm Beach County, was certified about five years ago. She has found the treatment can benefit stroke patients as well as Parkinson's patients. The intensive therapy, which works best in the disease's early stages, works the vocal cords and the respiratory system to help patients speak loudly and more clearly. Levy encourages spouses and families to come to the orientation along with patients. "I can't stress enough that this rehabilitation program is dependent on the patient's motivation and the caregiver's support," Levy said. Lee Silverman treatments usually are covered by Medicare, Levy said. A $1,590 combined annual Medicare limit on speech and physical therapieshas been postponed for two more years. Diane Lade can be reached at [log in to unmask] or 561-2 43-6618. SOURCE: South Florida Sun-Sentinel http://tinyurl.com/35mcu * * * ---------------------------------------------------------------------- To sign-off Parkinsn send a message to: mailto:[log in to unmask] In the body of the message put: signoff parkinsn