Loud and Clear Speech groups for Parkinson’s disease

89% of those with Parkinson’s disease have difficulties with their speech, but only 5% receive treatment.  Parkinson’s can affect vocal loudness, intonation (rise and fall of voice), voice quality as well as reduce the clarity of speech, diminish facial expression and impair swallowing (resulting in coughing when eating and/or drinking).

Loud and Clear Speech sessions started with the Andover PD branch in 2013, and are now also run for the PD groups in Winchester, Southampton, Newbury, Salisbury, Basingstoke, Fareham and Guildford. In addition, there is a group called Loud and Clear Global which welcomes people with PD from any location, regardless of whether they belong to a PD group or not. The sessions are monthly and last for an hour.

All sessions are online, via Zoom.

What happens during the Loud and Clear Speech sessions?

The session starts with exercises to strengthen facial and tongue muscles. Handouts are provided in order that members can practise at home.

Members of the group are invited to take turns to read aloud a limerick or quote and a verse of the poem with the goal of learning to self-monitor their own volume, clarity and rate of speech.

Members are under no pressure to read aloud; those who choose not to will still benefit from the activity as they can apply the strategies to their own speech.

 

What will I gain from attending?

• Knowledge of the impact of Parkinson’s on speech and swallowing – and the knowledge of how to minimise the impact on them.
• Support from other members.
• Regular access to a speech and language therapist specialising in Parkinson’s disease, who is also a Lee Silverman Voice Treatment (LSVT LOUD®) certified clinician.

 

Testimonials:

“I was diagnosed with Parkinson’s Disease in 2018 but only joined the Loud and Clear Southampton branch group in December 2020.  It did not know anything about speech therapy or that I could benefit from it but I did know that communicating with people was getting harder and that sometimes it was easier not to bother.  Celia has shown me how to increase the strength of my voice and to speak more clearly.  She gave me some easy exercises to do, with immediate results, which has encouraged me to keep doing them.  Her group sessions are fun and she goes to great trouble to find amusing things for us read out loud.  They cause much comment and laughter.”

– DA, Southampton

“I would like to say how much my husband appreciates Loud and Clear sessions. Celia makes it such a relaxed and happy session – she is also very encouraging with the exercises and help she gives to make oneself be heard better.

My husband finds it very helpful and a good means of communication with people in the same situation. We have also found having the sessions via Zoom to be so good as we do not actually have to drive anywhere which is sometimes difficult as a result of my husband’s condition. Thank you very much Celia for these sessions.”

– SG, Andover

“Celia has worked with our Branch for nearly 5 years and continues to make her offerings informative and interesting and usually with a delightful vein of humour.

She has stepped up seamlessly to the changes necessitated by social distancing and has been supportive when we have tried different ways of involving our members.

A true professional with a heart of gold.”

– LB, Basingstoke

 

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