As a practitioner, improving your skills in voice therapy for children is essential for delivering effective treatments. The research paper "Voice Therapy for Children" by Daniel R. Boone provides valuable insights into identifying and managing voice disorders in children. This blog will summarize key findings and offer practical steps to implement these outcomes in your practice.
Key Findings from the Research
- Identification of Dysphonia: Persistent dysphonia in children can be a symptom of serious laryngeal diseases. Practitioners should refer children with dysphonia lasting more than seven days for a medical laryngeal evaluation.
- Voice Screening Programs: Implementing voice screening programs in schools can help identify children with persistent dysphonia. Screening should include evaluating pitch, phonation quality, loudness, and resonance quality.
- Common Voice Disorders: Misuse and abuse of the voice can lead to dysphonia, vocal fold thickening, nodules, and polyps. Early identification and intervention are crucial.
- Therapy Techniques: Various facilitating approaches can be used to help children find and develop their best voice. These include altering tongue position, changing loudness, and using the chewing approach.
Practical Steps for Practitioners
Based on the research findings, here are some practical steps to improve your skills in voice therapy for children:
- Conduct Thorough Screenings: Integrate voice screenings into your routine assessments to identify children with potential voice disorders early.
- Refer for Medical Evaluation: Ensure children with persistent dysphonia are referred for a medical laryngeal evaluation to rule out serious conditions.
- Educate and Counsel: Educate children and their parents about the importance of avoiding vocal abuse. Counseling can significantly reduce harmful vocal behaviors.
- Use Facilitating Techniques: Apply various facilitating techniques tailored to each child's needs to improve their voice quality. Techniques such as the yawn/sigh approach or digital manipulation can be effective.
- Monitor Progress: Keep track of each child's progress by maintaining detailed records and adjusting therapy plans as needed.
Implementing these strategies can enhance your effectiveness as a voice therapist and contribute to better outcomes for your young clients.
To read the original research paper, please follow this link: Voice Therapy for Children.
