If you are searching for new information and want to expand your knowledge in a particular area, consider this compilation of clinical tools. All of these resources aim to help clinicians gain skills within the scope of speech-language pathology. Additionally, all can be applied to providing treatment to people with Parkinson’s disease (PD) and similar diseases.

1. Swallow Your Pride podcast. This podcast was created to connect clinicians who treat people with dysphagia. This tool provides updated research and related topics in an easy-to-digest format. Swallow Your Pride showcases speech-language pathologists (SLPs) and related medical professionals who tackle hard questions and work to combat the circulation of misinformation in the medical field of speech-language pathology.
2. Gray Matter Therapy blog. This website and blog was created by Rachel Wynn, M.S., CCC-SLP with a focus on geriatric care in skilled nursing facilities. Using the tag cloud, you can navigate topics discussed on her website including Parkinson’s disease, cognitive-communication, motor speech and voice/dysarthria, to name a few. Gray Matter Therapy has a robust archive of techniques and patient-centered care that is crucial to our field.
3. Medical SLP Forum on Facebook. This tool is free and grants you access to a private group of SLPs. In the forum you gain new insights, answer questions about a disease or specific treatment approach, or are looking for new resources and SLP events. This group is regulated by an admin and HIPPA is always required when discussing patient care.
4. ASHA Evidence Maps. These evidence maps lead you straight to the latest research on Parkinson’s disease (and many other topics). This removes one of the biggest hurdles for most clinicians: taking time to find good research. Take a few minutes to browse and commit to staying informed on topics related to your caseload. Nothing replaces evidence-based practice and practical application.
5. Lee Silverman Voice Treatment (LSVT) certification. This certification provides research-backed treatment approaches for SLPs who want to become certified in the LOUD program. This treatment intervention is primarily designed for people with PD but has also been approved for the treatment of other groups. LSVT LOUD treatment emphasizes perceived and measured loudness for those experiencing vocal quality and vocal volume changes with PD.
6. Parkinson Voice Project “Speak Out!”. This training is designed to focus on the integration of speech, voice, and cognitive exercises. Similar to LSVT LOUD, Speak Out! is a research-based program with a specific focus on providing therapy to people with PD. The Parkinson Voice Project also provides continuing education units (CEUs) specific to Parkinson’s.
7. speechpathology.com. Though there are many sources for continuing education units CEUs, the variety, professionalism, and complexity of the courses provided through speechpathology.com has tremendous value. I have used this avenue to receive many of my CEUs and can attest to the quality and application of the courses to my intervention, including neurological disease such as PD.