The CSUN Language, Speech and Hearing Center is pleased to offer a two-part speech therapy program to help individuals with Parkinson's regain and maintain effective communication: SPEAK OUT!® followed by The LOUD Crowd®. The SPEAK OUT!® and LOUD Crowd® programs were developed at Parkinson Voice Project in Richardson, TX. You can visit their website at: Parkinson Voice Project
SPEAK OUT!® places emphasis on speaking with intent and converting speech from an automatic function to an intentional act. Over approximately twelve individual sessions, patients and their speech-language pathologist work through a series of speech, voice and cognitive exercises outlined in a SPEAK OUT!® workbook.
Upon completion of SPEAK OUT!®, patients transition to The LOUD Crowd®. This maintenance program consists of weekly group sessions led by a speech-language pathologist. The SPEAK OUT!® exercises are performed, and group members provide support, encouragement, and accountability to one another.
Anyone in the community who has completed the SPEAK OUT!® program may join the LOUD Crowd® to maintain their improved communication skills.
Participation in the SPEAK OUT!®/LOUD Crowd® program, along with daily home practice and six month re-evaluations, has been shown to help patients maintain their communication and swallowing skills throughout the progression of Parkinson's.
For more information about SPEAK OUT®! and The LOUD Crowd® or to schedule a speech evaluation, please call the LSHC office at 818-677-2856.