Patients with Parkinson’s disease (PD) often find the degenerative disease not only impacts movement, but the quality of their voices as well. Don’t wait to get help! Often a person with PD will slowly notice that the voice becomes weaker, softer, slurred, hoarse, and more monotone and expressionless. It can be devastating to learn you can no longer tell your providers about how you are doing or say to your spouse and children that you love them.
We are fortunate to be able to offer the Lee Silverman Voice Treatment (LSVT), an innovative voice-therapy approach that is effective for treating the decreased volume, mumbled and monotone voice and hoarse voice in Parkinson’s patients. This evidence-backed, intensive treatment stresses the idea of “thinking loud in order to speak loud,” and uses exaggerated enunciation, motions and behaviors. Vocal degradation can not only be stopped, but partially restored! After the LSVT is completed, patients can experience improvements such as better swallowing, livelier vocal expression or affect, increased volume and more precise speech. Communication can again feel like an enjoyable experience!
Our dedicated team of speech-language pathologists are specially trained in speech therapy as it relates to cognitive-communication issues (how you listen, process, focus, remember, and communicate). We are also nationally certified by the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association, are nationally recognized by the Brain Injury Association of America and are Certified Brain Injury Specialists (CBIS). We are licensed to practice in both North Dakota and Minnesota. We believe every patient deserves the best treatment and support we can offer in every single contact and interaction with us.
We recognize that no two people have the same needs and that everyone has different learning styles. That’s why we like to call our approach “the Progressive way,” which means we will happily customize treatment plans to meet the unique needs of the individual and their family. We also believe in “the right fit” between patient and therapist, so will make every effort to match you with a clinician who connects with you, understands you, and utilizes a therapy style that is comfortable for you.
Depending on the goals you wish to accomplish and the learning pace that is most comfortable for you, we will arm you with the evidence-based strategies, proven skills, and ample support you need to feel more organized, prepared, and effective. Therapy strategies may range from recommendations for specific tools (such as timers or planners), one-on-one brainstorming and problem-solving to address concerns, therapeutic activities as well as computer trials or worksheets to help strengthen cognitive and executive functions like attention, memory, and planning.
We know that working on cognitive-communication issues is hard work and that it can be easy to feel defeated or overwhelmed by the challenges of building a more efficient brain. However, you will not be in this alone. We are not just speech-language pathologists; we are fellow human beings who care about you, your journey, and your success. We don’t want an appointment to feel like you’ve been sent to the principal’s office. Instead, you’ll find a comfortable space where you’ll feel listened to and understood. And because humor makes everything more bearable, be prepared to laugh and joke a bit too!