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I went through voice therapy designed for PWPs. It did make a substatantial difference, but in order to maintain the level of improvement and perhaps even extend it does require twice daily practice as prescribed. But it only takes about 10 -15 mins. a time. Leo Fuhr wrote: > Bonnie Cunningham, RN replied in part: > > > Communication problems, such as those mentioned (speaking, writing, > > thinking, typing, organizing thoughts) can indeed be problems associated > > with PD. > > > > Changes in speech and voice are often the first noticable sign of PD. > > With PD the muscles in the throat, just as the muscles of the arms and > > legs, are affected which results in speech and/or swallowing > difficulties. > > To improve the quality of the voice and to PREVENT choking, it is > > recommended to have an evaluation by a Speech Pathologist who can then > > teach you exercises to improve the muscle tone and flexibility of muscles > > used for speech and swallowing. FYI, we (NPF) have a new updated (free) > > book available on Speech and Swallowing. The book is called "Speaking > > Out". To obtain a copy, please call us at 1-800-327-4545. > > > > With the writing and typing difficulties, these dexterity problems can be > > improved, again with certain exercises. Seeking an evaluation from an > > occupational therpaist may be beneficial. > > > > The thought processes can be affected too. Just as important as the > > therapies mentioned above (by the way, physical therapy is suggested > too), > > "exercising" the brain is helpful. Keeping the brain as active as > possible > > helps stimulate the thought processes. > > Hopefully, by doing specific exercises for the specifc problems you have, > > you will be able to improve in all these areas and if continued > regularly, > > maintain status quo for a longer period of time. It is impossible for > > anyone to say how rapidly these or any PD problems will progress as each > > and every case is different. > > > > Bonnie Cunningham, R.N. > > Patient Services Director > > National Parkinson Foundation > > Bonnie and others, > > When I attended a Parkinson's Rally in July 98 I was disappointed in the > speech therapist who talked to the group. This particular therapist seemed > to think that working with Parkinson's patients to improve speech was > usually not very successful. The way I understood her reasoning, it was > because without continued daily practice, most therapies would quickly show > no improvement and then a person is back to the problem again. Is this > interpretation correct? Do Parkies need to continually practice the speech > or swallowing therapies daily to not see the problems recurring? > > Thanks for any input you may have on this angle about speech therapy. > > The occupational therapist was the more upbeat of the two.....showed > demonstration by seating herself and the featured neuro on chairs atop the > head table how to sit and rise easier from the type of chairs at the rally. > Also mentioned home made remedies like taping foam rubber to pens, > utensils to make for better grip or a button gripper from a paper clip. > > Jeanette Fuhr 47/9mo > <[log in to unmask]> > >