Instructions Now that the clients have had some practice at abdominal breathing in the standing position, the subsequent exercises can be carried out sitting. Sitting position Two sets of exercises are presented. Before carrying out the exercises, however, help the clients adopt an appropriate, well-supported but relaxed sitting…
Strengthening the Speaking Voice
Abdominal Breathing
Instructions Clients should be encouraged to “breathe a little lower, towards the tummy” and a standard explanation of how to implement abdominal/diaphragmatic breathing should be presented. Note that, as clients breathe in, it is helpful to encourage them to yawn gently. This is not an aggressive yawn but…
Respiratory System
Instructions In preparation for introducing the Abdominal Breathing technique, it is often helpful to give a brief overview of the anatomy of breathing, focusing on how the tummy moves out as we breathe in, and how the tummy moves in as we breathe out. Diagrams to assist understanding…
Stopping Throat Clearing
Instructions A method of breaking the cycle of coughing/throat clearing → tingly/sore/tight sensations → coughing/throat clearing → etc. → etc. is presented in terms of three staged actions. Repetitive cycle All three steps should be introduced, demonstrated and practiced in turn, so that each client understands how to implement each step…
Do’s and Don’ts
Instructions The voice therapist should introduce and lead a discussion around the vocal hygiene advice presented in the Do’s and Don’ts leaflet (reproduced immediately below and downloadable at the end of this page). As the name implies, vocal hygiene advice is presented in terms of what to do…
Functional Voice Difficulty
Instructions Referring to the information leaflet (written out immediately below and downloadable at the end of this page), a brief explanation of functional voice difficulty should be provided. The leaflet sets out the following information. Functional voice difficulty is explained as a voice difficulty in which the voice…
VOICE PACK 1: DESCRIPTION
Contents of Voice Pack 1 Functional Voice Difficulty Do’s and Don’ts Stopping Throat Clearing Abdominal Breathing Breathing Exercises Respiratory System Lifestyle and Vocal Behaviors Relaxation Audio (optional) Aims The aims of the first session are: [1] To explain what is meant by a functional voice difficulty…
Course Schedule
Example timeline This section provides an example outline of a complete course delivery schedule and suggestions for follow-up actions to be taken, and when, subsequent to clients completing the course. Clearly, local circumstances may necessitate varying this schedule to suit one’s own situation. Weeks 1-3 It is necessary…