COURSE · PART 2 · MODULE 9
Module 9 — Speech, Voice, Swallowing, and Breathing Symptoms
Speech, voice, swallowing and breathing symptoms can affect safety, dignity and connection. This module keeps immediate safety, symptom treatment and communication access visible as separate needs.
What this module teaches
- Functional communication symptoms can be diagnosed using positive clinical features. [1]
- Swallowing and breathing safety must be assessed before a symptom is assumed to be functional.
- Speech-and-language treatment can be useful, but much of the guidance is professional consensus rather than trial evidence. [1]
- Communication access should begin now and should not depend on spoken recovery.
Pages
- Speech, Voice, and Word Blocking — focused guidance on speech, voice, and word blocking.
- Swallowing, Globus, and Nutrition Safety — focused guidance on swallowing, globus, and nutrition safety.
- Cough, Breathing, and Upper-Airway Symptoms — focused guidance on cough, breathing, and upper-airway symptoms.
- Communication Access When Speech or Voice Is Difficult — practical ways to preserve choice and communication now.
Inside each page: Person with FND · Supporters · Clinicians · Research
Every page in this module uses these same four main sections.
Research and Sources
Source and limits: Malaty IA, Anderson S, Bennett SM, et al. Diagnosis and management of functional tic-like phenomena. Journal of Clinical Medicine. 2022;11(21):6470. Source. FND-CIT-0110; expert guidance, not a trial of these accommodations.
| Citation | Figure | Full citation |
|---|---|---|
| [1] | — | Baker J, Barnett C, Cavalli L, et al. Management of functional communication, swallowing, cough and related disorders: consensus recommendations for speech and language therapy. Journal of Neurology, Neurosurgery & Psychiatry. 2021;92(10):1112–1125. FND-CIT-0025. https://doi.org/10.1136/jnnp-2021-326767 |
Vocal tic-like symptoms
Involuntary sounds, words or phrases may be vocal/phonic tic-like symptoms and need their own assessment. Module 7 and the paired tics references cover this presentation; this module also supports communication access. Diagnosis · Recovery and care.