Neurodegenerative disorders - Ohio Neuro Speech Therapy

NEURODEGENERATIVEDISORDERS

Forgetting recent conversations, repeating questions, or misplacing items? Becoming disoriented about time, place, or how you arrived at a location? Finding it difficult to manage finances, cook, or follow steps in familiar activities? These may be the early signs of a neurodegenerative disorder, and Ohio Neuro Speech Therapy can help.

We specialize in three conditions: Parkinson’s disease, dementia, and Mild Cognitive Impairment (MCI).

A Speech-Language Pathologist plays a huge role in helping people with neurodegenerative diseases maintain function, safety, and quality of life. While SLPs can’t stop disease progression, we can provide strategies, therapy, and education that make daily life easier.

PARKINSON’S DISEASE

Parkinson’s disease (PD) is a progressive brain disorder causing motor symptoms like tremor, stiffness, and slowness of movement.

Common symptoms include:

Changes in speech and voice (soft, monotone, or slurred speech)
Slow rate of speech
Swallowing difficulties (dysphagia)
Cognitive changes (memory, attention, executive function)

Role of SLPs in Parkinson’s:

Cognitive-communication support
Voice therapy (e.g., LSVT LOUD)
Speech clarity strategies
Swallowing therapy (to reduce aspiration risk)

DEMENTIA

Dementia is not one single disease — it’s an umbrella term for a group of conditions that cause progressive decline in memory, thinking, communication, and daily functioning.

Common symptoms include:

Memory loss
Difficulty with language
Difficulty with word finding
Changes in judgment
Problems with planning and organizing
Sometimes changes in mood or behavior

Role of SLPs in Dementia:

Practice attention, memory, and problem-solving strategies tailored to the individual
Teach strategies to compensate for word-finding difficulties
Introduce external memory aids
Teach routine-based strategies to reduce confusion and increase independence
Provide safe swallowing strategies and diet modifications when needed.
Train caregivers to use effective communication strategies

MILD COGNITIVE IMPAIRMENT (MCI)

Mild Cognitive Impairment (MCI) is a condition where a person has noticeable changes in memory, thinking, or problem-solving, but the changes are not severe enough to significantly interfere with daily activities.

Common symptoms include:

Memory lapses (especially with recent events or conversations)
Misplace items, forget appointments
Difficulty finding words or following conversations
Challenges with planning, problem-solving, or decision-making
Slight changes in judgment or processing speed

Role of SLPs in MCI:

Work on memory strategies (repetition, association, visualization).
Teach attention and concentration techniques
Introduce external aids: calendars, memory notebooks, smartphone reminders.
Train clients in organizational systems for daily routines
Encourage mental stimulation (reading, puzzles, games, conversation)

MCI is considered an intermediate stage between typical age-related changes and dementia. Not everyone with MCI progresses to dementia, but it increases the risk.

Ohio Neuro Speech Therapy focuses on providing person-centered, in-home therapy to adults with neurological disorders in the Columbus, Ohio area.

Our goal is simple: enhance our patients quality of life and independence in their home and community by helping people regain and improve their current capabilities.

Ohioneurospeechtherapy@gmail.com

(419)302-3364