Abby Barnes, M.S., CCC-SLP
Some people with Parkinson’s disease experience changes in their cognitive-communication skills. These include skills such as attention, memory, problem solving, and word finding, which we need in order to communicate and complete tasks.
While speech therapy helps with the speech issues that can come with Parkinson’s, speech therapists are also trained to help people manage cognitive changes. Having the right support in place can help slow cognitive decline and improve your overall quality of life.
How does Parkinson’s affect cognition?
Parkinson’s disease can affect cognition. Cognitive decline may be due to a decline in dopamine. It may also be related to changes in “chemical messengers” in the brain called acetylcholine and norepinephrine. These brain changes can lead to memory difficulties and problems with executive function, such as planning and problem-solving skills.
Cognitive changes can range from mild to severe. These changes may occur at any stage of Parkinson’s disease. However, it’s important to note that some people with Parkinson’s will not experience any cognitive changes related to their diagnosis.
Examples of cognitive changes that may occur due to Parkinson’s disease include:
Memory problems
You might generally be more forgetful. For example, you might forget what step you’re on while making a recipe, or why you opened a closet door. Or you might forget things from a few days or months ago.
Attention difficulties
You may have a hard time concentrating or finishing tasks.
Word-finding difficulties
People with word-finding problems have trouble naming items. You may find it harder to talk during stressful situations, or feel like what you want to say is “just on the tip of your tongue.”
Slowness in thinking and mental processing
You may notice that you’re taking longer to respond to a situation or to something a person says to you.
What should you do if you notice cognitive changes with Parkinson’s?
For some people, cognitive-communication problems are a sensitive subject. The Parkinson’s Foundation notes that some doctors delay discussing cognitive changes while their patient is dealing with their overall diagnosis. The person with Parkinson’s, or their loved ones, may need to be the ones to bring up the topic.
If you or someone you care about is noticing changes in cognitive ability, talk to your doctor about seeing a speech therapist. Getting support sooner can help prevent cognitive issues from worsening over time. It will also help you manage any current symptoms.
Your doctor may also recommend seeing a psychiatrist or neuropsychologist. For people with cognitive difficulties due to Parkinson’s disease, medication may be an option. Your doctor is there to help you get every type of support that’s available.
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Get startedHow does speech therapy help with cognitive changes due to Parkinson’s?
Speech therapists specialize in treating people dealing with cognitive-communication changes, whether due to Parkinson’s, a stroke, a brain injury, or another condition. The goal of therapy is to help you manage these changes and preserve your quality of life. This is done through exercises to improve cognitive function, as well as strategies that can compensate for functions that aren’t able to be restored.
Speech therapy begins with an evaluation. Your speech therapist will perform assessments to determine any cognitive decline due to Parkinson’s. Testing helps compare typical age-related cognitive changes with changes that are likely due to Parkinson’s disease. The results will enable your speech therapist to determine which treatment to use in therapy.
During the evaluation, the speech therapist will also talk with you and your loved ones in order to get a holistic understanding of your everyday life. They’ll ask about any daily routines or interactions that feel challenging.
Your speech therapist will ask about goals that are meaningful to you and make sure treatment is targeted to your needs.
Your therapist will also ask you about goals that are important or meaningful to you. Perhaps you want to improve your word-finding skills for better conversation, or feel more successful with household tasks. Your speech therapist will make sure treatment is targeted to these goals.
Each person’s goals and treatment plan will be different. Some people with Parkinson’s may work on attention and concentration, while others may work on memory skills. The exercises you learn in speech therapy sessions will be targeted to these goals. For example, if you’re focused on memory, you may be tasked with remembering specific words over a certain period of time. Or you may work on language-based tasks such as naming items in pictures, or completing fill-in-the-blank activities to more easily recall common words and phrases.
An essential part of speech therapy for cognitive-communication is practicing your exercises at home, between sessions. Your speech therapist will teach you and your loved ones what to do and how to do it. The more regularly you practice at home, the more progress you’ll see in your cognitive abilities.
You can learn how Expressable supports people with cognitive-communication challenges in our treatment guide.
How long is speech therapy for cognitive-communication?
Every person who sees a speech therapist for cognitive-communication will spend a different amount of time in therapy. Some people may have just a few appointments, while others may spend several months addressing their cognitive changes.
The good news is that many people make excellent progress in managing their cognitive changes. The sooner you connect with a speech therapist, the faster you can start seeing improvements.
How to find a speech therapist for Parkinson’s
At Expressable, we provide online speech therapy to help people with Parkinson’s receive support from the comfort of their own home.
Expressable works with thousands of people across the country to treat a range of communication issues, including Parkinson’s disease. Clients appreciate the quality and personalization of the care they receive, as well as the convenience of receiving speech therapy at home, at a time that works with their schedule.
In online speech therapy, you meet face-to-face with your therapist using video conferencing on your computer or tablet. You can see your therapist, they can see you, and they will lead you through cognitive-communication exercises as you practice together.
Family members and caregivers are encouraged to attend sessions with you. This allows everyone to get involved and learn how to support you at home. Your caregivers will be better equipped to help you practice between sessions. As a bonus, because therapy is online, loved ones can attend from wherever they are.
Reach out to Expressable today
If you’re noticing any changes in your memory, language, attention, or other cognitive abilities, contact Expressable to get matched with a speech therapist. You can manage Parkinson’s symptoms and make substantial progress with the right support.
How Expressable Can Help
Concerned your child isn't reaching age-expected milestones? Looking for communication support from a professional? Expressable is a national online speech therapy practice serving children and adults. We treat all major areas of communication and feeding, offer flexible hours including evenings and weekends, and accept most major health insurance plans. We’re proud to have earned more than 3,000 5-star reviews from our clients (4.9/5 average).
Our therapy model is centered on parent and caregiver involvement. Research proves that empowering caregivers to participate in their loved one’s therapy leads to better outcomes. That’s why we combine live, 1-on-1 speech therapy with personalized education and home practice activities for faster progress.
Communication is more than words. It’s how we share how we feel and show who we are. We’re here to help you or your child do just that.
