The Role of the Speech-Language Pathologist in the Schools for the Treatment of Voice Disorders: Working within the Framework of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Improvement Act

Abstract

The role of the speech-language pathologist (SLP) has developed considerably over the past 20 years given the medical and technological advances in life-sustaining procedures. Children born with congenital, surgical, or “medically fragile” conditions become mainstreamed into regular school-based settings, thus extending the traditional role of the treating SLP and multidisciplinary team. Understanding the impact of associated voice disorders on educational performance requires dissemination of additional and important information, as eligibility decisions for students in school-based settings must be made within the framework of the federal legislation and regulations governing the provision of services for students with disabilities. This article discusses how to identify children with voice disorders under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Improvement Act (IDEA), the role of the SLP in various triaging scenarios, and how models of voice therapy can be integrated in a school-based setting.

Keywords

Child - student - voice disorder - IDEA - treatment - education

• References

• 1 Connor NP, Cohen SB, Theis SM, Thibeault SL, Heatley DG, Bless DM. Attitudes of children with dysphonia. J Voice 2008; 22: 197-209
• 2 Ruddy BH, Sapienza CM. Treating voice disorders in the school-based setting: working within the framework of IDEA. Lang Speech Hear Serv Sch 2004; 35: 327-332
• 3 U.S. Congress. Individuals with Disabilities Education Act amendments of 2004. Washington, D.C.: U.S. Government Printing Office; 2004
• 4 Andrews M. Voice Treatment for Children and Adolescents. San Diego, CA: Singular Publishing Group, Inc.; 2002
• 5 Friedberg J. Hoarseness. In: Bluestone C, Sylvan E, , eds. Pediatric Otolaryngology. Vol. 2. Philadelphia, PA: W.B. Saunders; 1983: 1181-1189
• 6 Gray SD, Smith ME, Schneider H. Voice disorders in children. Pediatr Clin North Am 1996; 43: 1357-1384
• 7 Glaze L. Treatment of voice hyperfunction in the pre-adolescent. Lang Speech Hear Serv Sch 1996; 27: 244-250
• 8 Verdolini K. Critical analysis of common terminology in voice therapy: a position paper. Phonoscope 1999; 2: 1-8
• 9 Hirschberg J, Dejonckere PH, Hirano M, Mori K, Schultz-Coulon HJ, Vrticka K. Voice disorders in children. Int J Pediatr Otorhinolaryngol 1995; 32 (Suppl) S109-S125
• 10 Gallena S, Kerins M. Nonspecific chronic cough and paradoxical vocal fold motion disorder in pediatric patients. Semin Speech Lang 2013; 34: 116-128