The SPEAK OUT!® Therapy Programme, available through the HSA Therapy Services Department, was developed by the nonprofit organisation Parkinson Voice Project. The evidence-based programme helps individuals with Parkinson’s Disease and related neurological disorders improve vocal volume, articulation, breath support, vocal quality, intonation, facial expression and swallowing function.

The programme combines patient education, individual therapy sessions, group SPEAK OUT! classes and daily home practice to support long-term communication and swallowing outcomes.

On average, between 75 and 90 percent of patients with Parkinson’s Disease experience communication difficulties during the course of the disease. One of the most common challenges is dysarthria, a motor speech disorder characterised by breathy speech, reduced vocal volume and monotone speech patterns. Communication partners often report that patients sound as though they are mumbling or are difficult to understand.

As the disease progresses, approximately 80 percent of patients also experience dysphagia, or difficulty swallowing, which can lead to serious complications including malnutrition, dehydration and aspiration pneumonia.

“These challenges can significantly impact a patient’s daily life and overall quality of life,” said Speech Language Therapist Faith Gealey-Rochez. “Many patients describe feelings of loneliness, isolation and depression because others struggle to understand them. Due to the sensory deficit component of Parkinson’s Disease, patients are often unaware that they are speaking softly or unclearly.”

Mrs. Gealey-Rochez explained that the SPEAK OUT!® programme focuses on helping patients “speak with intent,” increasing awareness of their speech patterns while improving vocal loudness and speech precision.

"The programme has a positive impact on both the loudness and clarity of speech, helping patients maintain confident, functional and independent communication skills throughout their lifespan,” she said.

Unlike traditional speech therapy programmes, SPEAK OUT!® places strong emphasis on intentional speech and intrinsic motivation. The programme is designed to help patients bypass the brain’s impaired extrapyramidal system and activate the pyramidal system, allowing them to regain better control of motor and speech movements.

In addition to speech therapy services, the HSA Therapy Services Department offers multidisciplinary support for patients with Parkinson’s Disease, dementia and other neurodegenerative conditions through a team of speech and language therapists, physiotherapists and occupational therapists with advanced neurological training.

The department currently facilitates multiple weekly neuro-rehabilitation group sessions for patients recovering from strokes and living with neurodegenerative conditions, including a specialised group programme for individuals with early to moderate stages of Parkinson’s Disease focused on maintaining physical mobility and functional independence. The addition of SPEAK OUT!® group classes further expands and complements these existing services.

Patients interested in accessing the SPEAK OUT!® programme are encouraged to discuss their communication or swallowing concerns with their primary care provider or neurologist and request a referral specifying “SPEAK OUT!” speech therapy services.

For more information contact the Speech Therapy team at 244-7675 or 244-2730.