SPEAK OUT!® and
The LOUD Crowd®

Parkinson’s Voice & Swallowing Program in Rapid City & the Black Hills

Parkinson’s disease and related neurological conditions affect the automatic motor system, causing speech to become soft, slurred, or quiet, and swallowing function to decline over time. Because Parkinson's impacts automatic movement, speaking and swallowing require transitioning from automatic control to intentional action.

At DSSC, we provide comprehensive evaluation and individualized treatment for adults with Parkinson’s disease, Parkinsonisms, and Progressive Supranuclear Palsy (PSP) through SPEAK OUT!® and The LOUD Crowd®—specialized programs developed by the Parkinson Voice Project. Our approach focuses on helping individuals speak with intent, rebuild vocal volume, protect swallow function, and maintain long-term communication confidence.
To learn more about, visit: https://parkinsonvoiceproject.org/program/speak-out/

Services are available in person at our Rapid City clinic and through telehealth options when appropriate.

Common Signs You May Benefit from Evaluation

  • Individuals with Parkinson's or related conditions may benefit from an evaluation if they experience:

    • A quiet, weak, or hoarse voice

    • Speech that sounds slurred, mumbled, or trails off

    • Difficulty being heard or understood in conversation or noisy environments

    • Reduced vocal pitch range or monotone voice

    • Coughing, throat clearing, or choking during meals or when taking medications

    • Feeling like food or liquid gets stuck in the throat

    • Reduced vocal stamina or fatigue when speaking

    • Frustration or withdrawal from social interactions due to communication breakdowns

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Comprehensive Evaluation to Determine Your Needs

Colorful circular puzzle with five connected pieces in shades of gray, teal, light blue, mustard yellow, and dark blue.

A specialized speech and swallowing evaluation is the first step in understanding how Parkinson’s is impacting your voice, respiration, and swallow mechanism. Our evaluation considers:

  • Vocal loudness, quality, and stamina

  • Speech intelligibility and clarity across conversational settings

  • Respiratory support and coordination for speech

  • Pitch range and prosody (vocal inflection)

  • Swallow safety, efficiency, and airway protection

  • Practical communication goals and daily functional needs

Following evaluation, we develop an individualized treatment plan tailored to your communication and swallowing needs, strengths, and daily lifestyle.

Our Process

Before beginning therapy, our certified Speech-Language Pathologist conducts a comprehensive evaluation to assess your speech, voice, breathing, and swallow function. This allows us to identify your unique baseline and create an individualized treatment plan tailored to your daily communication and health goals.

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Our 2-Phase Approach

Phase 1: Individual SPEAK OUT!® Therapy

SPEAK OUT!® is an evidence-based therapy program that teaches individuals with Parkinson's to bypass the automatic motor system and use deliberate intent for speech and swallowing. Working 1-on-1 with a certified Speech-Language Pathologist, treatment focuses on:

  • Speech & Voice Exercises: Daily intent-based exercises to increase vocal volume, clarity, and projection.

  • Pitch & Vocal Inflection: Targeted drills to prevent monotone speech and restore natural vocal expression.

  • Swallow Safety & Efficiency: Strengthening the shared muscles of speech and swallowing to improve swallow function and airway protection.

  • Cognitive-Linguistic Practice: Integrating intentional speech into functional daily tasks and real-world conversation.

Phase 2: The LOUD Crowd® Maintenance Group

Maintaining speech and swallow gains requires lifelong practice and intent. Upon completing individual therapy, patients transition into The LOUD Crowd®—a supportive weekly group session designed to provide:

  • Ongoing Practice: Weekly group sessions to maintain vocal strength, loudness, and intent.

  • Accountability & Support: A structured routine to keep practice consistent over time.

  • Community Connection: Encouragement and connection with peers navigating similar experiences.

  • Long-Term Carryover: Continued monitoring and support from certified SLPs to maintain functional gains for life.

Specialized Care for Neurological Conditions

We evaluate and treat speech, voice, and swallowing changes associated with:

  • Parkinson’s Disease (PD)

  • Parkinsonisms & Atypical Parkinsonian Disorders

  • Progressive Supranuclear Palsy (PSP)

  • Multiple System Atrophy (MSA)

  • Corticobasal Degeneration (CBD)

We’re accepting new clients for speech therapy in Rapid City, SD

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