Parkinson Communication Lab

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If you or someone you love has Parkinson’s, speech therapy isn’t a nice-to-have — it’s a game changer. Here’s the receipts:

🎤 Voice & Speech — People saw up to a 143% jump in conversational turn taking skills, 55-87% saw louder& clearer speech, and a 22% reduction in the “mumbling” voice PD can cause (dysarthria).

🍽️ Swallowing — This one’s huge: therapy cut aspiration risk by 61% and made eating safer AND more enjoyable (22.7% boost in meal pleasure — because eating should still be fun!).

🧠 Cognition & Quality of Life — Multidisciplinary SLP care improved memory/thinking skills, cut anxiety by 10% and depression by 8%, and made caregivers feel way more equipped (93% increase in PD knowledge for care partners).

📈 The real kicker? The more you work the more progress you will see! Patients who made big gains got just a few more hours of therapy than those who didn’t — this stuff works, and it doesn’t take forever to see results.

Bottom line: Parkinson’s changes how you speak, eat, and connect — but addressing these skills through skilled Speech therapy and then programs like Voice Fit can change that trajectory. 💛

(Source: ASHA infographic on SLP treatment outcomes for PD)

This week in my Voice Fit™ | Strong Voice. Together. class at Black Dog Fitness we exercised our voice, moved our body, practiced utilizing intent, and practiced using inflection when speaking with intent! We ALSO talked about other non-motor symptoms of Parkinson’s including working memory and executive function difficulties. We took time to share strategies that work to compensate for these cognitive changes. As someone with ADHD I am no stranger to these difficulties either! This morning I felt extra stuck… even though I do the same thing every morning I stood in the kitchen and had NO idea what to do first. Writing myself a to-do list in these moments, even for routines I have done 1 million times helps me get unstuck. Voice Fit isn’t just about Voice… it is about connection and education! We all learned something new (including myself) and helped each other with tools to improve independence! I am already excited for next week!!!! Come join us Wednesdays at 3:30!!!

What an INCREDIBLE turnout for the first VOICE FIT (Voice Fit™ | Strong Voice. Together. ) class at Black Dog Fitness !!!! We worked hard, had fun and learned A LOT! Working your voice muscles, practicing the ability to speak with INTENT and find the word you want to say… in a group setting. The group wellness piece that has been missing from Parkinson’s care!!!! Thank you Kara Heckerman, CCC-SLP | Neuro-Informed Speech & Cognitive Care for creating such a great program and trusting me to make it my own!!!
I cannot wait for next week!!! Come buy a class package and join me at Black Dog Fitness, Wednesdays at 3:30!!!

Do you hear “What?” or “I can’t hear you” — even though it feels like you’re yelling? 🎙️

That’s the soft voice that can come with Parkinson’s. You may have already gone to voice therapy, but your voice is just like your body — it needs regular exercise to stay healthy. If you’ve never had voice exercise, this is a great place to start. Everyone with Parkinson’s can benefit from voice exercise to improve or maintain voice, communication, and swallowing!

Voice Fit is coming to Black Dog Fitness to help you be heard. 💛

Join us for a free community Voice Fit class — no sign-up needed, just walk in.

📍 Black Dog Fitness, 9965 Kingston Pike, Knoxville, TN 37922
🗓️ Wednesday, 8/5/26
🕞 3:30 PM

Come solo, or bring your care partner — every ability level is welcome.