See also Communication
Acknowledgement
We would like to thank speech and language therapists Julia Johnson and Phil Maillard, Regional Neurosciences Centre, King’s College Hospital, London & Clinical Advisor on Progressive Neurological Disease, Royal College of Speech and Language Therapists, London, for their contributions.
We would also like to acknowledge the use of information from:
. ISBN-10: 1861563582.See also sections on Eating & Swallowing and Drooling
2200 Research Boulevard
Rockville
MD 20850-3289
United States
Tel:800-638-8255
Fax:301-296-8580
Website:www.asha.org
Coleheath Bottom
Speen
Princes Risborough
Bucks
HP27 0SZ
United Kingdom
Tel:+44 (0) 1494 488 306
Fax:+44 (0) 1494 488 590
Website:www.helpwithtalking.com
Website: www.lsvt.org
The LSVT® Foundation is a non-profit 501c3 organization instituted in 1997 and dedicated to improving communication in individuals with neurological disorders, with a specialty in Parkinson disease.
The mission of the LSVT Foundation is to insure that speech treatment has a prominent role in the care of patients with Parkinson disease and other neural conditions. In speech treatment, unlike drug or surgical treatments, the locus of control belongs to the patient. Thus, positive speech treatment effects carry the added benefit of improved self-confidence and some measure of control over a significant symptom of Parkinson disease.
The LSVT® Foundation operates on funds generated from LSVT® Training and Certification Workshops and donations. Ninety percent of our efforts are on a volunteer basis.
Email: info@lsvt.org
Website: www.lsvtglobal.com
LSVT Global specializes in the development of treatments for the physical therapy and speech communication needs of patients with Parkinson disease as well as other neurological disorders.
LSVT Global
PMB 303
5575 East River Road, Suite 121
Tucson, AZ 85750-6737
USA
Tel: 1-888-606-5788 (phone)
Fax:
1-520-615-8559 (fax)
E-mail:info@lsvtglobal.com
Gaol Street Clinic
Hereford
United Kingdom
Tel:+44 (0) 1432 378910
Email:mikecanavan@onetel.net
Website:www.herefordshireq2.btik.com
2 White Hart Yard
London
SE1 1NX
United Kingdom
Tel:+44 (0) 20 7378 3012
Email:info@rcslt.org
Website:www.rcslt.org
Everyone with Parkinson’s Disease may have different symptoms, but, most will include stiffness and tremor. Voice and swallowing problems are frequently another symptom of this disease, sometimes occurring early, and sometimes later as the disease progresses. The Voice Aerobics™ DVD give those individuals a program that they can do on their own, at home. Developed by Mary Spremulli,MA,CCC-SLP, a local medical speech pathologist, licensed nurse, and lecturer, with over 25 years healthcare experience, Voice Aerobics™ is a three part exercise program which focuses on: breath support, posture, and vocal function exercises for improved vocal performance.
Voice Aerobics™, was started in 1999 as a 50 minute exercise class. It combines techniques from voice therapy and exercise physiology. It was designed originally as an “after therapy” program for individuals with Parkinson’s disease, however, the class attracted participants with a variety of backgrounds, including, individuals who were involved in choral work, but felt they were losing power in their voice.
Speech and voice symptoms occurring with Parkinson’s Disease are usually classified as a hypo kinetic dysarthria (hypo-slow, kinetic-referring to muscle movement, and dys-difficult, arthria-having to do with speech). The actual speech and voice of the person, is characterized as: low in volume, rate of speech which is too rushed or fast, low pitched, and monotone (boooooring!) Many people with Parkinson’s Disease complain that other people are always asking them to repeat, even though they think they’re talking just fine. Loss of facial expression is also associated with Parkinson's disease. The changes in voice and swallowing can be insidious (sneaky), and occur gradually over time. Consequently, the person who has the problem may not even realize how poor their voice has become, until their doctor is referring them for speech therapy.
10% of the DVD profits are donated to the National Parkinson's Foundation and the Lee Silverman Voice Treatment Foundation.
An innovative voice therapy group for people with Parkinson's
A report on how Lee Silverman voice therapy has represented a major step forward in the management of Parkinson's disease in Ireland.
Powerpoint presentation at the 12th National Conference Multidisciplinary care in Parkinson's disease and parkinsonism: from science to practiceconference
The Parkinson’s association in your country may also be able to provide information based on members’ experiences. The EPDA website [www.epda.eu.com] contains the contact details for European Parkinson's disease organisations and international Parkinson’s organisations.
Your Parkinson’s association may also advise and provide information and educational opportunities for health professionals.
