SPEAK OUT! Therapy teaches individuals with Parkinson’s how to convert speech from an automatic function to an intentional act.
Parkinson’s depletes dopamine production, which is necessary for automatic movements.
This is why most people with Parkinson’s can struggle with speaking, swallowing, and walking. These motor movements were all “automatic” before the diagnosis of Parkinson’s and highly dependent on dopamine. Getting out of a chair, putting on a seatbelt, picking up a glass of water, and even driving a car are also “automatic movements.”
Fortunately, humans have TWO motor systems – automatic and intentional. When someone concentrates and is purposeful and deliberate, they are activating the intentional motor system which is not as dependent on dopamine. This is why it is crucial for people with Parkinson’s and their families to understand the concept of “INTENT.”
