Speak Out Therapy: How Intention Can Change Everything

Did you know that 90% of people with Parkinson’s are at risk of developing a weak voice? This loss of vocal strength doesn’t just affect communication—it can also lead to serious swallowing complications, impacting overall health and quality of life.

To address this, the Parkinson Voice Project developed SPEAK OUT!, an evidence-based program designed to help individuals with Parkinson’s and Parkinson-isms regain and retain their speech and communication abilities while minimizing swallowing difficulties.

What is Speak Out Therapy?

Speak Out Therapy is a structured speech therapy program based on the principles of motor learning and the teachings of Daniel R. Boone, PhD, CCC-SLP. This therapy works by helping individuals convert their speech from an automatic function to an intentional act.

By focusing on intentional speaking, individuals with Parkinson’s can bypass the weakened neural signals that often disrupt speech. The pyramidal tract, an alternative neural pathway, allows for clearer, stronger vocalization without relying on dopamine, a brain chemical that is often deficient in those with Parkinson’s.

My Journey with Speak Out Therapy

Several years ago, I became a trained provider of SPEAK OUT! while working in a skilled nursing facility. The most rewarding moment with each patient is seeing the joy in their eyes when they hear their voice again—a sound they may have thought was lost forever.

Through structured interventions, education, and home practice, this program helps clients regain confidence in their ability to communicate, making everyday conversations with loved ones easier and more fulfilling.

How Speak Out Therapy Works

The therapy consists of two key phases:

1. Individual Speech Therapy

Each client undergoes one-on-one sessions with a speech-language pathologist. This personalized approach ensures direct feedback and customized techniques to strengthen their voice and swallowing function.

2. Group Therapy (Coming Soon!)

Once individual therapy is complete, clients can transition to group-based SPEAK OUT! sessions, where they practice their newly strengthened voice in real-world conversational settings. These ongoing sessions help maintain progress and reinforce the habit of intentional speech.

The Science Behind Speak Out Therapy

For individuals with Parkinson’s, the signal from the brain to the speech muscles can get delayed or weakened, making it difficult to speak clearly. However, intention-based speech provides an alternate neurological pathway to restore function.

Using intent forces the brain to take a more direct route—the pyramidal tract—which improves vocal strength and clarity. Unlike the standard dopamine-dependent pathway, this alternative does not require as much of the depleted chemical, making it a more reliable method for those with Parkinson’s.

Why Speak Out Therapy Matters

• Enhances Speech Clarity – Helps clients regain their ability to speak confidently and clearly.

• Improves Swallowing Safety – Reduces the risk of aspiration and related health complications.

• Boosts Confidence & Social Engagement – Allows individuals to actively participate in conversations again.

• Supports Long-Term Progress – Encourages continued improvement through structured home practice and group sessions.

  
  

Get Started with Speak Out Therapy

If you or a loved one has Parkinson’s and struggles with speech or swallowing, Speak Out Therapy may be the solution. Through personalized treatment and structured practice, we can help you find your voice again.

📩 Contact us today to learn more or schedule an evaluation. Your voice matters, and we’re here to help you use it!