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MURRAY, Ky. 鈥� 糖心logo入口鈥檚 Center for Communication Disorders (CDI) department received the Parkinson鈥檚 Voice Project grant, which is designed to help individuals with Parkinson鈥檚 and other related neurological disorders.

Parkinson鈥檚 is a progressive neurological disease that affects a substantial number of individuals annually.

Dr. Nikki Gaylord, associate professor in the center for communication disorders, said individuals with Parkinson鈥檚 often experience changes in their voice, speech and swallowing.

鈥淐hanges in voice include decreased loudness and an inability to project their voice. Changes in swallowing include having difficulty consuming foods and liquids safely,鈥� Gaylord said. 鈥淐hanges in speech include reduced intelligibility of speech and an increased rate of speech. Individuals with Parkinson鈥檚 disease frequently experience frustration with their communication deficits, which then impacts their participation in social and daily life activities.鈥�

The SPEAK OUT! therapy program addresses speech and swallowing challenges by targeting the muscles associated with swallowing.

This grant allows speech-language pathology students to receive SPEAK OUT! training for free.

Students who participate in the training will receive 10 hours of continuing education about Parkinson鈥檚 disease, the population affected and the neurology behind SPEAK OUT!

According to the program鈥檚 website, patients are empowered to speak with 鈥渋ntent.鈥� Megan Smetana, instructor in the center for communication disorders, said when speaking in one鈥檚 natural environment, most people typically don鈥檛 pay attention to their speech.

鈥淏y asking the participants to 鈥榮peak with intent,鈥� we are encouraging them to be more conscious of their speech. We remind them to speak to the person at the back of the room 鈥� without yelling,鈥� Smetana said. 鈥淲e also use the verbal cue, 鈥榮peak like you are a CEO.鈥� People with Parkinson鈥檚 or related disorders are typically unaware of their low volume and lack of articulatory accuracy. The reminder to speak with intent helps them increase their volume and over-exaggerate their speech.鈥�

Both Gaylord and Smetana are trained and certified providers for the SPEAK OUT! training program.

鈥淭his allows us to supervise students who complete the training as they provide therapy services to individuals and to the weekly group,鈥� Gaylord said.

All speech-language pathology students in the graduate cohort at CDI will receive training during their first year of graduate school. Undergraduate students in CDI are allowed to sign up and observe the weekly SPEAK OUT! groups.

Currently, the department has three to four individual clients and 10-15 group participants each week.

Community members who are interested in participating in SPEAK OUT! (individually or as part of the group) are encouraged to reach out to Dr. Nikki Gaylord at jgaylord1@murraystate.edu or Megan Smetana at msmetana@murraystate.edu.