The ÂÜÀòÉç Speech and Hearing Center was awarded a five year grant through the Parkinson Voice Project® to develop a Parkinson Therapy and Research Center in Ohio. This will be the only one of its kind in Ohio. The mission of the research center is to provide free treatment and support to persons with Parkinson’s disease and conduct related research.
The SPEAK OUT!® Therapy Program, developed by t® in 2005, is an evidence-based program that helps individuals diagnosed with Parkinson’s and related neurological disorders regain and retain their speech and swallowing. This comprehensive program is based on the research of Dr. Daniel Boone, PhD, CCC-SLP, , was created by speech language pathologist Samatha Elandary, MA, CCC-SLP, and focuses on individual speech therapy for vocal deficits related to Parkinson’s disease along with education and ongoing group support. The goal is for people with Parkinson’s and related neurological disorders to regain and retain their speech for a lifetime. SPEAK OUT! is appropriate for individuals in all stages of Parkinson’s to prevent and restore communication impairments.
ÂÜÀòÉç Speech and Hearing Clinic is now accepting referrals for participants in this program. Sessions are supervised by licensed speech language pathologists and are implemented by graduate students in ÂÜÀòÉç’s graduate speech pathology program. All sessions can be attended either on ÂÜÀòÉç’s main campus at the ÂÜÀòÉç Speech and Hearing Clinic or virtually through a computer or tablet. Participation in research is not a requirement for receiving free therapy at our Center.
As we initiate development of Ohio’s SPEAK OUT! Therapy and Research Center, ÂÜÀòÉç’s graduate program in speech language pathology and the ÂÜÀòÉç Speech and Hearing Clinic is seeking partnerships with local hospitals and community based programs that serve persons with Parkinson’s disease. Please contact Erin Kolonich, MA, CCC-SLP, Speech Pathology Clinic Coordinator at ejohnson@kent.edu for more information regarding partnerships. Client referrals should contact the ÂÜÀòÉç Speech and Hearing Clinic at (330)672-2672 and reference the SPEAK OUT! program.
