Treatment Of Voice Disorders: The Global Voice Therapy Model (GVTM) For Children And Adults

Course overview

Voice problems are the most common communication disorder, impacting approximately 7.5 million people in the USA. The main goal of voice therapy is to optimize the dynamic interactions between the respiratory, laryngeal, and resonating sub-systems for an improved vocal output across all communication tasks. Considering that each client presents with unique anatomy and physiology of phonation, we need the flexibility to determine the most effective voice production technique that will be used in therapy. We also need a voice therapy model that will facilitate generalization and maintenance of the "new" voice. The Global Voice Therapy Model (GVTM), grounded in motor learning principles, is dedicated to achieving and maintaining the "new" voice in all communication tasks independent of a specific voice production technique. This course will explore the components of the GVTM, motor learning principles applied to the GVTM, research related to the GVTM, and application of the GVTM to clinical practice. The content of the course is for all SLPs in private practice, schools, and medical settings servicing children and adult clients.