Conditions & Treatments

Hartford HealthCare Rehabilitation Network's  speech language pathologists evaluate problems with swallowing that can occur with certain diseases or conditions or following trauma.

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Speech Language Therapists evaluate and treat problems with:

Cognitive problems including:

• Memory Loss (New Memory Loss, Not Progressive Memory Loss Secondary to Aging)
• Poor Reasoning
• Trouble Focusing/Paying Attention
• Decreased Safety

Speech/language problems including:

• Trouble Expressing Oneself
• Difficulty Understanding What Others Are Saying (Not Related to Hearing Loss)
• Slurred Speech
• Change in Mental Status
• New Onset of Trouble Reading/Writing (Not Related to Weakness)

Voice Problems:

• Weak, Breathy, Strained, Hoarse, or Rough Voice
• Inability to Produce Audible Voicing or Cough

Parkinson's Disease

Patients with Parkinson’s disease (PD) present with varying symptoms, ranging from mild tremor, to those who have severe gait and safety problems, dyskinesia, dysphagia and cognitive issues. Hartford HealthCare Rehabilitation Network provides evidence based physical, occupational and speech therapy services to address all of these problems.

Hartford Healthcare Rehabilitation Network is pleased to offer a two-part speech therapy program to help individuals with Parkinson’s regain and maintain effective communication: SPEAK OUT!® followed by The LOUD Crowd®.

SPEAK OUT!® places emphasis on speaking with intent and converting speech from an automatic function to an intentional act. Together, patients and their speech-language pathologist work through a series of speech, voice, and cognitive exercises outlined in a SPEAK OUT!® Workbook.

Upon completion of SPEAK OUT!®, patients transition to The LOUD Crowd®. This maintenance program consists of weekly group sessions led by a speech-language pathologist. The SPEAK OUT!® exercises are performed, and group members provide support, encouragement, and accountability to one another.

Participation in The LOUD Crowd®, along with daily home practice and six-month re-evaluations, has been shown to help patients maintain their communication skills throughout the progression of Parkinson’s. For more information about SPEAK OUT!® and The LOUD Crowd® or to schedule a speech evaluation, please call 860.490.9284.

The LOUD Crowd® meets Wednesdays from 3:30-4:30pm at the Chase Family Movement Disorder’s Community Room, located at 35 Talcottville Road, Vernon.