Evidence-based insights on Parkinson's voice therapy, LSVT LOUD, pediatric speech, myofunctional therapy, and more — written by Amanda Smith, M.Ed., CCC-SLP.
The perceptual recalibration problem: why patients think they're talking at normal volume when they aren't — and what LSVT LOUD does to fix it.
How LSVT LOUD compares to SPEAK OUT!, general voice therapy, and home programs — and why the research behind your therapist's certification matters.
Most patients wait until their voice is significantly impaired. Research shows early intervention produces better outcomes — even before you notice changes.
Soft voice, rushed speech, monotone, mumbling — these are all part of hypokinetic dysarthria. A Sandy Springs SLP explains what's happening and what therapy targets.
Aspiration pneumonia is the leading cause of death in Parkinson's. An SLP explains the signs of silent aspiration and why swallowing therapy is urgent — and underused.
DBS dramatically helps tremor and motor symptoms — but it can worsen voice and speech. What to expect and why pre- and post-DBS speech therapy matters.
LSVT LOUD requires daily home practice to be effective. A certified provider walks through the four core exercises and the "Think LOUD" carryover principle.
When your loved one's voice is soft and rushed, how you respond matters. Practical strategies that reduce frustration on both sides — from an LSVT LOUD certified SLP.
A stage-by-stage guide — from the subtle loudness reduction of early PD to AAC and dysphagia management in advanced stages — so families know when to seek each level of care.
What LSVT LOUD certification means, questions to ask a potential SLP, and how Lasting Language serves Sandy Springs, Roswell, Alpharetta, and all of Georgia via telehealth.
Voice changes appear years before most families recognize them. An LSVT LOUD certified SLP explains the 7 signs to watch for and why acting early matters.
Just referred to LSVT LOUD? A certified provider walks through the full 4-week, 16-session protocol — what happens each session, what to expect at home, and how families can help.
Caregivers are part of the treatment. What family members can do during sessions, at home, and after the 4 weeks end — to make therapy stick.
Voice changes are among the earliest Parkinson's symptoms — and one of the most treatable. An LSVT LOUD certified SLP explains the gold-standard approach and realistic expectations.
When a child can't say R, S, L, or Th, parents often wait hoping they'll grow out of it. A Sandy Springs SLP explains what's developmental — and what isn't.
Some disfluency between ages 2 and 4 is completely normal. But secondary behaviors — facial tension, eye blinking, avoidance — mean it's time to call an SLP.
CAS is a motor planning disorder — not a muscle weakness. Why inconsistency is the hallmark sign and why intensive therapy frequency makes or breaks outcomes.
These children have vocabulary but struggle with back-and-forth conversation, topic maintenance, and reading social cues. Often mistaken for a behavioral problem — an SLP can diagnose and treat it.
Speech milestones, red flags, and when "wait and see" is the wrong call. A Sandy Springs SLP gives parents a clear framework for deciding when to act.
Parents often hear "he'll catch up" at well-child visits. A Sandy Springs SLP explains when waiting is fine — and when it's a risk you shouldn't take with your child's development.
The distinction matters because they require different interventions. A Sandy Springs SLP explains what each means and how a formal evaluation tells them apart.
School-based and private speech therapy serve different mandates. The key differences — and how to decide which is right for your child's goals.
Orofacial myofunctional disorders defined, what a session looks like, and who should be referred — a foundational guide from a certified myofunctional therapist in Sandy Springs.
When does tongue tie actually affect speech — and when is it being over-treated? A myofunctional therapist explains the real connection and the role of therapy before and after a release.
Got the referral slip and not sure what to do next? A specialist explains why the referral happened, what the evaluation looks like, and why timing matters for orthodontic outcomes.
What the evaluation and treatment process actually looks like — from a certified myofunctional therapist who works closely with referring orthodontists in the Atlanta area.
Chronic mouth breathing affects dental development, sleep quality, and facial growth. A myofunctional therapist explains what to watch for — and when it's time to act.
From long face syndrome to crooked teeth to poor sleep, the downstream effects of chronic mouth breathing are more serious than most parents realize.
Snoring, restless sleep, and bedwetting can all trace back to airway obstruction and mouth breathing. The connection between sleep-disordered breathing and myofunctional therapy.
Parents focus on teeth — but breathing, swallowing, and tongue resting posture have far deeper consequences for your child's development than most dentists mention.
What aphasia actually is, what the recovery arc looks like, and what speech therapy can accomplish — even years after the stroke. Written for caregivers who just received this diagnosis.
Persistent hoarseness, voice fatigue, and vocal strain that won't resolve. What nodules, polyps, muscle tension dysphonia, and paralysis look like — and when to see both a laryngologist and an SLP.
PPA slowly erodes language ability — but new research is offering clearer pathways for maintaining communication longer, and speech therapy plays a central role.
Articulation sounds take 3 to 6 months. LSVT LOUD is exactly 4 weeks. Language delays vary widely. A Sandy Springs SLP gives realistic timelines across every service type.
The research shows telehealth is equally effective for articulation, language, fluency, and even LSVT LOUD. What works well remotely — and what still needs in-person care.
Most people know physical exercise keeps the body strong. But cognitive-speech exercises matter for long-term neurological health — especially for anyone at risk for PD or post-stroke decline.
A new year brings a natural opportunity to reflect. For patients and families who value clear, confident communication, here are five goals worth setting with your SLP.
Schedule a free consultation with Amanda Smith, M.Ed., CCC-SLP — serving Sandy Springs, GA in person and all of Georgia via telehealth.
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