How does Parkinson's disease affect one's speech?

1. What is Parkinson’s disease?

2. Is Parkinson’s disease classified as a disease of the muscle or of the brain?

3. In what areas of the brain does Parkinson’s disease affect?

4. Does it play a role in the firing of signals between the neurons? If so, How?

5. What happens to a person’s muscles (in general and then get specific—LCA, tongue, etc) when they have Parkinson’s disease?

6. Does the disease play a role on the respiratory system? And if so, How?

Julie

What are the areas of professional practice that capture my interest (this might be a disorder, anything relating to treatment or diagnosis, etc.)? With respect to this general topic, what would an essential question for me be? What do I already know about this topic? What don't I know about this topic?

My interest has not changed from the last assignment that was similar to this one. I am still interested in finding out information on people suffering from Parkinson’s disease. My question before was asking what exactly Parkinson’s disease was and how did it affect the body. After talking with other classmates, and getting ideas from them, I have now narrowed my question to be more specific. A good essential question for me would be ‘How does Parkinson’s disease effect one’s speech?’

I don’t know a lot about this topic. Although, I did know that the person’s speech turns into almost a whisper; I’m not sure if the voice quality would be considered a harsh voice or a hoarse voice. After looking up some sites from this week’s assignments, I learned that the SLP finds different ways to help the client talk loudly so that other’s can hear the client. I do not know what exactly why the voice changes. Is it a neurological problem or is it because the muscles don’t work properly? Or is it a combination of both? These are things I am going to have to find out.

Julie