SPEAK OUT!® and LOUD Crowd®
Parkinson Voice Project, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, has named Florida Atlantic University – Communication Disorders Clinic as a recipient of its 2021 SPEAK OUT!® & LOUD Crowd® Grant Program.
“Up to 90% of people with Parkinson’s are at high risk of losing their ability to speak, and aspiration pneumonia caused by swallowing issues accounts for 70% of the mortality rate in this patient population. Awarding these grants has substantially increased access to quality speech treatment to those living with Parkinson’s,” said Parkinson Voice Project’s Founder and Chief Executive Officer, Samantha Elandary.
This grant program honors Daniel R. Boone, PhD, a world-renowned speech-language pathologist and voice expert who recognized in the late 1950s that individuals with Parkinson's could improve their communication if they spoke with “intent." Parkinson Voice Project’s highly effective speech therapy program is based on Boone’s teachings and combines individual therapy (SPEAK OUT!®) with ongoing group therapy (The LOUD Crowd®) to convert speech from an automatic function to an intentional act.
What is SPEAK OUT!® & LOUD Crowd®?
SPEAK OUT!® is a voice therapy program for individuals with Parkinson’s disease to improve their voice. In this program, speech converts from an automatic function to an intentional task. SPEAK OUT!® is typically completed in 12 sessions. The client then transitions to the LOUD Crowd®.
LOUD Crowd® is the group therapy component of the program and meets once weekly. As Parkinson’s is progressive and degenerative in nature, daily home practice and continuous follow-up is crucial to maintaining the improvements achieved in any kind of therapy. The group sessions provide maintenance for skills obtained during SPEAK OUT!® and are a source of camaraderie for the members.
The SPEAK OUT!® & LOUD Crowd® were developed at Parkinson Voice Project in Richardson, TX. You can visit their website HERE.
When and where can I receive services?
SPEAK OUT!® is offered in our Communication Disorders Clinic. Sessions are scheduled on a one-on-one basis with each client. LOUD Crowd® currently meets Thursdays at 2:10pm. Sessions are currently being offered in-person in our clinic or virtually.
I have Parkinson’s disease. When should I begin seeing a speech therapist?
As soon as possible! 90% of people with Parkinson’s are at risk of developing a weak voice that can lead to serious speech and swallowing difficulties. SPEAK OUT!® and LOUD Crowd® are an effective combination to help keep your voice and musculature strong.
To find out more information regarding this free of cost program please contact Kelly Steele M.S., CCC-SLP (561) 297-4026 (ksteele8@health.fau.edu)