SPEAK OUT!^®

Thompson Health speech-language pathologists are now offering SPEAK OUT!®, a therapeutic protocol developed by the Parkinson Voice Project to improve and preserve the voices of individuals with Parkinson’s disease and Parkinson-plus syndromes. 

The SPEAK OUT!® program typically consists of 12 therapy sessions and daily home practice. During individual speech therapy sessions the patient and the speech-language pathologist work their way through a series of speech, voice, and cognitive exercises outlined in a comprehensive workbook. The program encourages patients to “speak with intent” in a confident and deliberate fashion. Intentional movements use the pyramidal system which is not affected by Parkinson’s disease. Speaking with intent bypasses the neuropathways impaired by Parkinson’s disease (extrapyramidal system) and results in a stronger, clearer voice. The practice tasks can also strengthen the muscles used in swallowing, lessening the risk of aspiration which is common with Parkinson’s disease. Those interested in this therapy – which is covered by insurance – must first get a script from their doctor for a speech evaluation. 

Call the Department of Speech Pathology at (585) 396-6057.
Visit https://www.parkinsonvoiceproject.org/OurSpeechTherapyProgram

Call Thompson Health Rehabilitation Services at
(585) 396-6050

Kimberly Ricigliano M.S., CCC-SLP 
Senior Speech Pathologist for Acute/CCC/Outpatient 

Inga Simning M.A., CCC-SLP 
Speech Pathologist for Acute/CCC/Outpatient 

Chelsey Auburn M.S., CCC-SLP
Speech Pathologist for Acute/CCC/Outpatient 

Amanda Sudore M.S., CCC-SLP
Speech Pathologist for Acute/CCC/Outpatient