Effective Strategies for Communicating When You Have Parkinson's Disease
Health ConditionsNeurological DisordersParkinson's Disease

How Parkinson’s Disease Affects Communication — and What You Can Do About It

How Parkinson’s Disease Affects Communication — and What You Can Do About It
Nicolae Popescu/iStock
By
Published on January 5, 2026
by
Parkinson’s disease, often associated with its hallmark physical symptoms of tremors or changes in movement, can also affect your communication and ability to keep up in conversation.

 “In some cases, the words that you’re searching for are on the tip of your tongue but you lose them,” says Sneha Mantri, MD, chief medical officer of the Parkinson’s Foundation and practicing neurologist and movement disorder specialist at Duke Health in Durham, North Carolina. More commonly, though, are cognitive communication issues, “where it takes longer to think of a response and physically make your mouth and tongue do what they need to get the words out,” says Dr. Mantri.
It’s also common for people with Parkinson’s disease to start to experience some memory loss, which can impact communication.

 “On top of that, your voice can also become affected,” says Adena Leder, DO, neurologist and Parkinson's Center Director at New York Institute of Technology in Old Westbury, New York. Even if your mind is totally sharp, you may not be able to project as well, and that makes it harder for people to understand you.”

Learning why these communication challenges happen — and how to implement the right strategies — can help you improve your ability to communicate effectively with those around you.

Parkinson’s Disease and Communication Hurdles

As Parkinson’s disease progresses, the brain gradually loses dopamine, a chemical that controls movement and coordination.

 Dopamine levels can impact your ability to move your vocal cords, tongue, and facial muscles that are needed for speech. This is known as dysarthria.

 It can also lead to cognitive challenges like slowed thinking, difficulty processing information, or problems with word-finding (known as bradyphrenia), which can further affect communication.

“It’s not that the person with Parkinson’s is unintelligent or doesn’t know the answer,” says Mantri, “it’s just that the disease itself clogs up the pathways in the brain that help with fluidness of all kinds — fluidness of movement, but also fluidness of thought.”

These communication struggles can be deeply frustrating and are a major source of stigma for people with Parkinson’s. “So much of how we view ourselves is wrapped up in how we communicate and present to others.” says Mantri.

Techniques for Pacing and Processing With Parkinson’s Disease

Pacing and processing strategies can help you feel more natural and confident in your ability to communicate. Use these tips to help slow things down, create space to think, and support intentional speech:

  • When possible, lower background noise, like televisions or speakers, during conversations.
  • Opt for face-to-face conversations to increase your ability to understand and be understood.
  • Pause before you speak or before responding to help give yourself time to gather your thoughts.
  • Keep a pen and paper on hand to use as a backup when you’re having trouble getting your words out.
  • Take your time, speak slowly, and use short phrases.
  • Use common gestures for words, like shaking your head “no” or acting out “eating” or “driving.”

Scripts for Social Confidence

Keep these phrases in your back pocket to help manage communication challenges related to Parkinson’s disease:

  • Ask for repetition: “I didn’t catch that, can you say it again?”
  • Clarify what you heard: “Let me repeat this back to make sure I got it right.”
  • Buy yourself some time: “I need a minute to organize my thoughts.” 
  • Navigate word-finding issues: “It’s on the tip of my tongu it’ll come to me.”
  • Reduce confusion: “Can we stick to one question or topic at a time? 
  • Address soft speech: “I speak softly, let me know if you can’t understand me.”
  • Improve the environment: “Can we move somewhere quiet to talk?”

How a Specialist Can Help with Cognitive-Communication

If you or a loved one notice any changes in your communication, consider meeting with a speech-language pathologist (SLP).

“Speech therapists can be helpful in figuring out exactly where the breakdown is happening in the process of communication, and which strategies can help build up your skills in an intentional way,” says Mantri. They can also help you learn to speak more loudly, as well as recommend assistive devices, like amplifiers, alphabet boards, voice synthesizers, or speech generating devices, to support better communication.

“Many people with Parkinson’s disease may have difficulty with swallowing, which increases their risk of aspirating, especially when it comes to thin liquids,” says Dr. Leder. “SLPs are also trained to help prevent aspiration and offer techniques to improve swallowing.”

Ask your doctor to connect you with an SLP near you to form a plan that addresses your individual needs.

The Takeaway

  • Parkinson’s disease affects more than your movement — it can make communication harder by slowing speech, reducing voice volume, and impacting your memory and processing speed.
  • These changes occur as a result of the loss of dopamine in the brain that affects the muscles your body needs to form speech and process conversations.
  • A speech-language pathologist can help address voice concerns, implement pacing techniques, and recommend strategies to improve cognitive processing and boost your confidence in daily interactions.
EDITORIAL SOURCES
Everyday Health follows strict sourcing guidelines to ensure the accuracy of its content, outlined in our editorial policy. We use only trustworthy sources, including peer-reviewed studies, board-certified medical experts, patients with lived experience, and information from top institutions.
Resources
  1. Common Symptoms of Parkinson’s Disease. American Parkinson’s Disease Association.
  2. Thinking Changes & Dementia. Parkinson’s Foundation.
  3. Parkinson’s Disease. Cleveland Clinic. April 15, 2022.
  4. Dysarthria (Changes to Speech). Parkinson’s Australia.
  5. Cognitive Changes. American Parkinson’s Disease Association. Goldman JG.
  6. Tips for Improving Communication in People with Parkinson's Disease. Cleveland Clinic. August 21, 2020.
Meet Our Experts
See Our Editorial PolicyMeet Our Health Expert Network
Jessica-Baity-bio

Jessica Baity, MD

Medical Reviewer
Castle Connolly Top Doctor

Jessica Baity, MD, is a board-certified neurologist practicing in southern Louisiana. She cares for a variety of patients in all fields of neurology, including epilepsy, headache, dementia, movement disorders, multiple sclerosis, and stroke.

She received a bachelor's degree in international studies and history from the University of Miami and a master's in international relations from American University. She graduated from the Louisiana State University School of Medicine, where she also did her internship in internal medicine and her residency in neurology.

Prior to practicing medicine, she worked in international relations and owned a foreign language instruction and translation company. 

See full bio

Kerry Weiss

Author
Kerry Weiss is a New York–based freelance writer, editor, and content strategist specializing in health and wellness. She has contributed to a variety of online publications, including Healthline, WebMD, Sharecare, Twill Care, and What to Expect.
See full bio
See Our Editorial PolicyMeet Our Health Expert Network