IUSB Elkhart Speech-Language Clinic

SPEAK OUT! & Loud Crowd

SPEAK OUT! is a therapy program tailored to people with Parkinson’s disease to improve their voicing, and in turn, their swallowing.  SPEAK OUT! is usually completed in 8-12 sessions spanning four weeks, with the transition to the Loud Crowd. In this four-week span, clients report improvement in their speaking, their ability to be heard, and their overall quality of life.  Participation in the Loud Crowd is voluntary, providing carryover and maintenance services to ensure ongoing success.

The SPEAK OUT! & LOUD Crowd therapy programs were developed at Parkinson Voice Project in Richardson, TX. You can visit their website online.

SPEAK OUT! is offered in one to one therapy sessions through the IUSB Elkhart Speech and Language Clinic. Sessions can be held in person or via telehealth.  Our Speech Language Pathologists are trained providers of the SPEAK OUT! And Loud Crowd programs.

According to studies, up to 89% of people with Parkinson’s disease develop difficulty communicating and up to 95% develop difficulty swallowing. To postpone and prevent this decline, it is optimal to begin speech therapy as soon as possible. Participation in SPEAK OUT! & LOUD Crowd can change the effects that Parkinson’s disease has on your voice. Muscles become weak because they are not used to their full capacity, not because Parkinson’s is making them weak. SPEAK OUT! & Loud Crowd require you to use the muscles for speaking and swallowing to their full potential.

Free. The grant support that the IUSB Elkhart Speech and Language Clinic has received provides free sessions to all interested participants.

Contact the clinic by calling 574-520-4008 or emailing slpiusb@iu.edu to get more information and schedule your appointment.

In addition to our on-campus clinic, Indiana University South Bend’s Master of Science in Speech-Language Pathology (IUSB MS-SLP) program collaborates closely with the surrounding community to offer challenging and transformative clinical experiences throughout the duration of the program.  Many of our clinical and diagnostic practicum experiences occur at community sites, allowing our students immersive clinical experiences that help them gain essential clinical skills.  We are grateful to all of our community partners!  If you are an SLP who is interested in supervising IUSB MS-SLP graduate clinicians, please contact the Clinical Director by email at jmburch@iu.edu or by phone at (574) 520-4010.

Clinic Location and Contact Information

The IUSB Elkhart Speech-Language Clinic is located within IUSB’s Elkhart Center.

125 E. Franklin Street
Elkhart, IN 46516

Free public parking is available across from The Elkhart Center on Franklin Street.

Clinic Map

Clinic Phone Number: 574-520-4000
Clinic Fax Number: 574-520-4009
Clinic Email: slpiusb@iu.edu

Clinical Director: Jerin Burch, MA, CCC-SLP (she/her)
Clinical Assistant Professor of Speech-Language Pathology
Phone: 574-520-4010
Email: jmburch@iu.edu

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Non-discrimination Policy

The Indiana University South Bend Master of Science in Speech-Language Pathology (IUSB MS-SLP) department and clinical program operate within IU's non-discrimination policy that prohibits discrimination on the basis of age, color, disability, ethnicity, sex, gender identity, gender expression, genetic information, marital status, national origin, race, religion, sexual orientation, or veteran status.

IUSB Elkhart Speech-Language Clinic COVID-19 Response Plan: Information for Clients

The health and safety of our clients, students, faculty, and staff is important to us! IUSB COVID-19 procedures and information can be found at https://www.iu.edu/covid/ . The IUSB Elkhart Speech-Language Clinic’s COVID-19 Response Plan will be provided to clients at the time of registration. Questions may be directed to the Clinical Director.