What Is Your Communication Quotient? (CQ)

If you have been newly diagnosed with Parkinson's Disease or a related diagnosis, you are undoubtedly trying to wrap your head around the diagnosis, understand new medication regimens and follow your physician's recommendations to exercise. Your physician may have also recommended that you consult with a speech-language pathologist/therapist for management of speech and swallowing symptoms that may be associated with your medical diagnosis. This may seem like a reasonable recommendation or an unnecessary one depending on your own perception of your speech and voice.

 

Below is a quick questionnaire that may help you determine if you might benefit from some speech and voice therapy or coaching.

 

Circle the response that best matches your experience.
0= never  1= almost never 2= sometimes  3= almost always  4= always                        

1. I breathe from my abdomen/diaphragm 01234
2. I can speak without worrying about drooling or coughing 01234
3. I use the appropriate volume for the situation 01234
4. I speak clearly and others comment on this 01234
5. I project my voice without effort 01234   
6. I use my voice and body language to express energy 01234
7. I open my mouth sufficiently when I speak 01234
8. I feel confident speaking on the phone 01234  
9. I am confident speaking in groups and in new situations 01234 
10. I speak for myself and rarely let others do my talking 01234       

How did you do? If you got mostly 3's and 4's, you may be communicating fine without much disease impact on your speech and voice. If you got mostly 0's, 1's, and 2's, speech and voice therapy might be a worthwhile investment in the New Year.