SPEAK OUT!® Program for Parkinson’s Voice Disorder

The SPEAK OUT!® program is a proven speech therapy approach designed to help individuals with Parkinson's disease regain control of their voice. This approach is all about "speaking with intent," helping to strengthen speech muscles, boost vocal loudness, and improve clarity. Since Parkinson’s can make speech soft and monotone, this program teaches intentional voice production to bring back confidence in communication.

Sessions combine cognitive-linguistic exercises with real-life speaking activities, helping to retrain the brain for stronger, clearer speech. Patients work on speech drills, voice projection, and strategies to make these skills stick in everyday conversations. These exercises don’t just build vocal strength—they also increase awareness and control, leading to lasting improvements.

A big part of SPEAK OUT!® is one-on-one sessions with a speech-language pathologist, followed by group therapy for continued practice and support. The structured approach helps participants maintain their progress, stay motivated, and connect with others facing similar challenges. The group setting is a great way to stay accountable while making the process more engaging and fun.

SPEAK OUT!® strengthens the connection between speech and thinking. Since Parkinson’s can affect cognition, this program blends speech tasks with mental engagement, helping people use their voice effectively in daily life.

With regular practice and the right guidance, individuals with Parkinson’s can regain a strong, confident voice. If you or a loved one is noticing voice changes, a speech-language pathologist can help determine if SPEAK OUT!® is a good fit. The Therapy Grove offers sessions to make this powerful program accessible to those who need it most.

Author: Brittany Schoellkopf M.S., CCC-SLP