Speech therapy for individuals with Parkinson’s available at Barkley Clinic

15 Feb 2021     By Kelcey Buck

The Barkley Speech Language and Hearing Clinic is offering an intensive therapy program to help individuals who have Parkinson’s Disease preserve their speech and voice through the SPEAK OUT!® & LOUD Crowd® program. 

After an initial evaluation at the Barkley Clinic, individuals participate in three 40-minute sessions per week for four weeks as part of the SPEAK OUT!® therapy. Following the 12 one-on-one sessions, participants are added to a group maintenance program – the LOUD Crowd® – which they are encouraged to attend once a week throughout the remainder of their lives. 

Currently, SPEAK OUT!® sessions are held at 11 a.m. on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays, and are available either in-person or via Zoom. The LOUD Crowd® meets at 1 p.m. on Tuesdays via Zoom. 

Individuals interested in scheduling an evaluation may call the Barkley Clinic at 402-472-2071. The SPEAK OUT!® program costs $30 per session, while the LOUD Crowd® is offered free of charge for all individuals who complete the individual sessions. The Barkley Clinic bills both Medicare and Medicaid, and also accepts self-payment for services. 

The SPEAK OUT!® & LOUD Crowd® program was developed by the Parkinson Voice Project. The Barkley Clinic began offering these services in 2019 after receiving a grant from the Parkinson Voice Project. For more information, visit go.unl.edu/speak-out.