Speech and Communication: Lee Silverman Voice Training

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If you have a voice or speech disorder resulting from Parkinson’s disease [2] or a neurological condition, Good Shepherd’s Lee Silverman Voice Training Program (LSVT) can help.

The Lee Silverman Voice Training Program focuses on increasing vocal loudness as a way to improve monotone or hoarse voice quality, imprecise articulation, lessened facial expression or other voice issues relating to neurological disorders.

Levels of Care:
The Lee Silverman Voice Training Program is available on an outpatient basis to both children [3] and adults at Good Shepherd Health & Technology Center, Allentown [4].

Why choose Good Shepherd’s Lee Silverman Voice Training Program?

• Data from more than 15 years of research on Parkinson’s disease [2] shows significant benefits in speech intelligibility and improvements across motor symptoms (swallow, facial, expression) and neural functioning.
• Ongoing research indicates that the Lee Silverman Voice Training Program is beneficial for individuals with multiple sclerosis, cerebral palsy, stroke, TBI and ataxia.
• This behavioral speech therapy offers the promise of further speech improvement and improved quality of life.
• The treatment effects are long lasting (up to two years) and have been considered Level 1 evidence for speech treatment for Parkinson’s disease.
• Treatment focuses on improving loudness and immediate carryover into daily communication, enabling you to maintain or improve oral communication.
• After discharge from structured therapy, you can join the Loud Crowd. This group, which meets weekly, allows you to practice your speech strategies in a group setting.

More about the Lee Silverman Voice Training Program

• If, following a voice and speech evaluation, a speech therapist recommends that you enter the Lee Silverman Voice Training Program, you will need to have an ear, nose and throat physician (ENT) consultation prior to treatment.
• You will need to commit to attending 4 sessions per week, each 50 to 60 minutes in duration, for 4 weeks. In addition, you will need to participate in a daily home program. If your symptoms are particularly severe, you may need to extend your visits.
• Three to six months following discharge from the program, a Good Shepherd speech therapist will assess you voice and speech status.

For more information on the Good Shepherd Department of Speech and Communication [5], contact us [6], call 610-776-3270 or Request an Appointment [7].