speech loss due to Parkinson

[kiwibella]

my Dad has suffered from Parkinson's disease for many years. Over the last year his voice has been diminishing and, more recently, his quality of life is deteriorating... probably mostly because he is finding it so difficult to communicate. His partner is looking at different options to help him like implants, botox injections, speech therapy, microphones, etc etc ? most of which he has already tried and have been unsuccessful. She has sent me information about a text to speech aid to look in to further... so here I am!!

Does anyone have any experience with this type of aid? I wonder how useful it would be for someone who constantly shakes... I'm concerned that Dad might get frustrated.

Does anyone have any other suggestions about products or procedures. My biggest problem is that my father is in Australia and I am in UK (although I could jump on a plane at any time to help him). My father's partner is understandably at her wits end.

TIA

what does his Speech Therapist say?

Hi Ali,I know it might sound a bit odd,but have you tried the Special Needs board?Some may have children who use communication aids,and therefore of use to adults too.DD uses sign language,but we also have home made "Picture boards" which she points to.Other sn mums whose children use electronic/computerised comm aids will probably be able to offer better advice.Bset wishes,Wrinkly xxx

thanks for replying Ali... you have reminded me of a previous discussion where he wasn't seeing one. I must find out about that first.

Great suggestion wrinkly... I'll pop over for a look. I can't see him even considering alternative languages (such as pictures) but it will be interesting to know how others have found text to speech aids. I guess at 60+ it is finding a solution that isn't (any more) demeaning!

I really appreciate your responses... I am feeling a bit helpless - especially since I can't talk to my father properly on the phone!!

I'm a speech and language therapist and although I don't work with this population, I do work with a lot of people who require alternative/augmentative communication.

The technology in this field is moving very fast indeed.He needs a salt to assess him and see what available.
Typically it would be something like a Lightwriteror a Touchspeak

The synthesised voice makes them quite pricey thoguh.I have successfully helped someone use the texting facility on their mobile phone as a communication aid too.

Not any specific help, as my father's speech is actually the one thing not badly affected, but the PDS sheet on speech and language therapy has some (fairly basic, admittedly) suggestions.

thanks both... PandS, I have seen that sheet and it is a good kick in to reality Diminishing speech is one of the last symptoms for Dad.

Moondog - I will look in to your suggestions. My father's partner sent me a link to SL40... which at £3200 I need to consider very carefully!!!

I am interested to know more about using a mobile phone in this way too. Dad researched his phone carefully so that he chose one that he was able to use comfortably.

How have your (patients? clients?) found using such a device. Generally, does it take long to get in the swing of entering text? I am concerned that Dad will feel frustrated with this method although he has slowed down an awful lot and become more patient over the years.

A lot depends ohn how literate one was before onset of neurological damage. Obv. someone who has spent years typing will take to it more easily than someone who spent most of their life in a manual job.

An s/lt who is a nexpert in this field can guide him through the options and lokk into funding.

Best of lucj.It's horrid i know.

thanks moondog - you have helped me to have such clarity in dealing with this.

Now, I just need tact to reply to my dad's lovely partner!!! Although she is very well intentioned, she needs to take some stress off herself and get him to discuss this with a SaLT.

HTH
Yes, she needs to understand that

1. it is too big to deal with alone
2. Speech and language therapists work with total comunication strategies, not just voice and speech.