[fusion_dropcap boxed="yes" boxed_radius="0" color="var(--awb-color5)" class="fusion-content-tb-dropcap"]W[/fusion_dropcap]hat is a speech-language pathologist? 

Speech-language pathologists (SLPs) work to prevent, assess, diagnose, and treat speech, language, social communication, cognitive-communication, and swallowing disorders in children and adults” (per the American Speech Language Hearing Association). In Parkinson’s disease, these disorders can manifest by causing the patient to speak quietly, slur their words, have difficulty with attention or memory, and feel food or liquid ‘get stuck’ or ‘go down the wrong pipe’ when they swallow. 

BiSC lab’s current research studies: We are currently recruiting participants for research that aims to measure tongue strength in people with Parkinson’s disease and to examine the effects of a new treatment method for people with swallowing problems. One research study is seeking individuals with a diagnosis of Parkinson’s disease regardless of whether or not they have a swallowing problem (meaning that a swallowing problem is not a requirement to participate in this research study). A second research study is specifically seeking individuals with Parkinson’s disease who have symptoms of a swallowing problem. Please see our flyers, and reach out via phone or email if you have any questions or to see if you qualify!