By Dave DeFusco
The Katz School鈥檚 M.S. in Speech-Language Pathology has secured a specialized training grant from the Parkinson Voice Project鈥檚 acclaimed SPEAK OUT! Therapy Program. This national training initiative will equip Katz School students across the United States with the knowledge, tools and clinical certification to treat hypokinetic dysarthria鈥攁 neuromotor speech disorder commonly associated with Parkinson鈥檚 disease that robs individuals of their voice, clarity and connection to the world.
The grant will allow the Katz School Virtual Clinic to offer SPEAK OUT! services free of charge to individuals diagnosed with Parkinson鈥檚 and related disorders. These services are now available via telehealth to patients in New York, removing many of the common barriers to care鈥攊ncluding cost, transportation and mobility issues鈥攁t a time when evidence-based, accessible treatment is needed more than ever.
鈥淭his is incredibly specialized training鈥攕omething that typically only comes post-professionally,鈥 said Katie Threlkeld, a clinical assistant professor and Virtual Clinic coordinator who led the effort to secure the grant. 鈥淭o offer it to graduate students is rare, and to offer it to patients for free will be transformative.鈥
The grant announcement comes during April鈥檚 National Parkinson鈥檚 Disease Awareness Month, a poignant reminder of the pressing need for effective interventions. An estimated 1.5 million Americans are currently living with Parkinson鈥檚 disease, with approximately 60,000 new diagnoses each year. Speech and swallowing difficulties affect the majority of those with Parkinson鈥檚, often worsening over time and diminishing quality of life.
The SPEAK OUT! Therapy Program offers a proven, research-based approach to combating these symptoms by helping individuals 鈥渟peak with intent.鈥 This method transforms speech from an automatic behavior into a conscious, deliberate act鈥攁n especially critical shift for those whose neurological disease affects motor planning and control.
The training program blends education, one-on-one and group therapy, daily home practice and ongoing follow-up, empowering patients with tools to maintain their communication and swallowing functions throughout the progression of the disease.
At the heart of this initiative is a commitment to bridging the gap between classroom knowledge and real-world application. The 10.5-hour certification, typically reserved for licensed professionals, is now available to Katz students鈥13 of whom have already completed the training.
鈥淭his allows our students to approach a diagnosis like Parkinson鈥檚 with confidence and compassion,鈥 said Threlkeld. 鈥淭hey鈥檙e learning not only the theory, but how to apply it through clinical interventions鈥攐ften before they even begin their adult externships.鈥
Students participating in the SPEAK OUT! training are embedded in diverse clinical placements nationwide, from Florida to