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Does anyone out there have any comments on the use of speech therapy for PD ers? I was diagnosed in Feb. '95 and have had positive effects on all of my symptom from medication, exercise, vitamins, etc., except for my deteriorating speaking ability - which is fairly crucial for earning a living. I have been practicing some exercises I found in a pamphlet put out by the APDA, which has been somewhat helpful, but I could use more help. When I really concentrate and force myself to take deep breaths, varying my pitch, tapping my finger or foot to help slow it down, etc., I can speak so that I am almost lucid - but I can't keep it up. I constantly have to repeat myself to people, and any remotely complicated comments result in folks just staring back at me because they haven't a clue as to what I'm saying. Telling jokes is out too. Does it help? Is it important to find a therapist experienced with PD, and are they hard to find? Would it likely be covered by insurance (believe I know the answer to this one)? While it may seem trivial to some, at this still early stage of my PD it would make a difference in my life if I could fix this problem at least a little. B. Bruce Anderson Long Valley, NJ [log in to unmask]