הרצאות מקצועיות

Speech and swallowing problems as a consequence of acute and progressive neurological dysfunction can be varied in profile and an understanding of the role of key neurological substrates and nature of the physiological breakdown is crucial to expert assessment and management.

The type and localisation of the neurological damage are important determiners of the impairment and severity and conversely the symptoms can be biomarkers (especially voice) and sentinel for specific disorders.

Control of speech involves many abilities including the maintenance of muscle tone, strength, range and directionality of movement and co-ordination.

The most recognisable consequence of brain impairment to the vocal system is vocal fold paralysis or paresis. Not so recognisable are the problems with co-ordination, timing and sustainability that regularly result from stroke or head injury and can point to interruption to either efferent or afferent systems.

In this workshop, I propose to highlight and focus on laryngeal dysfunction resulting from progressive neurological disorders (such as Parkinson’s Disease) and acquired brain impairment and to offer management option that have a physiologically-based rationale. The importance of evaluating voice independently of articulation and of assessing all aspects of activity including strength, co-ordination, endurance, reliability, ability to initiate, sequence and alternate motion will be emphasised.