Shared from parkinsonsnewstoday.com.
Parkinson’s disease affects not only movement but also muscles in the face, mouth and throat that are used to speak. This may cause a person’s voice to change, as well as dysarthria, or difficulty in speaking, and dysphagia, or difficulty in swallowing. Speech may become slurred, mumbled or rapid, and the voice softer. For some, it may be difficult to breathe, find words or participate in fast-paced conversations.
These problems may be referred to a speech and language therapist who is trained in all forms of communication, including non-verbal communication such as facial expressions or body language. Such therapists can teach techniques and offer tips for better communication.
It is important to begin speech therapy as soon as possible and continue it on a regular basis.