Question
Is it always necessary to get a medical clearance before any voice therapy can be undertaken? It was my understanding that a medical exam was necessary only in the cases where the individual had a vocal quality that was judged to be hoarse for more than t
Answer
No. "ASHA guidelines and Preferred Practice Patterns make it clear that all patients with voice disorders must have a laryngological examination prior to the initiation of voice therapy" (Colton, Casper, 1996). Specifically, the ASHA 2004, Preferred Practice Patterns for the Profession of speech-Language Pathology states under Clinical Process, "All patient/clients with voice disorders are examined by a physician, preferably in a discipline appropriate to the presenting complaint. The physician's examination may occur before or after the voice evaluation by the speech-language pathologists. (34-2).
To protect ourselves ethically and legally, we must get this medical clearance before treating the client.
Dr. Harmon is an Associate Professor on the graduate faculty at Mississippi University for Women. She currently teaches graduate courses in Fluency Disorders, Phonological and Articulatory Disorders, and Voice Disorders. Dr. Harmon has been an invited speaker in the area of stuttering therapy with state and regional associations and with Northern Speech Services across the country.
Michelle Harmon, Ph.D
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