338: Speak Steady: Jessica Ackerman, MS, CCC-SLP, RYT, On Movement-Based Voice Therapy For Parkinson's

What if the key to helping a patient with Parkinson's find their voice again isn't more repetition, but movement? In this episode, hosts Erin Gallardo, PT, DPT, NCS, and Claire McLean, PT, DPT, NCS, talk with Jessica Ackerman, MS, CCC-SLP, RYT, speech-language pathologist and founder of Speak Steady, about why the classic Parkinson's presentation so often goes untreated, and how a technique born out of a pandemic-era Zoom yoga class became a clinically validated, self-paced communication program. Jessica walks through the neuroplasticity and motor-learning principles behind pairing each spoken word with a movement, how posture and breath mechanics directly power vocal loudness, where Speak Steady differs from voice-isolated approaches like LSVT LOUD, and why so few people with Parkinson's ever make it into speech therapy in the first place given long wait times and a national shortage of SLPs. The conversation also touches on early, easy-to-miss signs of swallowing difficulty and how PTs and OTs can use Speak Steady as a low-lift referral option for patients who may never see a speech therapist otherwise.

Speak Steady: www.jessicaackerman.com

Link to Speak Steady: The Parkinson's Voice Reset : www.jessicaackerman.com

Info flyer Speak Steady: https://drive.google.com/open?id=1bigUtWvw6taGpgc2d2jglYQfVHkI-pVz

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/breathespeakmove/