FND Education Project

REFERENCE · RECOVERY TECHNIQUES

Functional Speech and Voice Symptoms: Detailed Recovery and Communication Support

Each original entry has one page, in the same order. There are no extra numbered techniques. These are options to discuss, not eleven steps to complete or eleven independently proven treatments. Start with the page that matches the difficulty you want help with.

Original list: eleven entries, eleven detailed pages

  1. Education and demonstration of preserved communication: Understanding the Diagnosis and Finding an Easier Starting Point.
  2. Reflexive or automatic voice: Finding a Comfortable Automatic Voice.
  3. Rhythm, singing or automatic sequences: Using Rhythm, Singing or Familiar Sequences.
  4. Shape an easy sound into speech: Building an Easier Sound Into Words and Conversation.
  5. Rate and prosody adjustment: Finding a Helpful Speech Rate and Pattern.
  6. External-focus communication: Focusing on the Message and the Listener.
  7. Breathing, posture and muscle-release work: Making Speech More Comfortable: Breath, Posture and Muscle Release.
  8. Meaningful communication practice: Practising the Conversations You Want to Have.
  9. Temporary communication support: Communication Support When Speech Is Difficult or Unavailable.
  10. CBT-informed or psychologically informed strategies: Psychologically Informed Support for Communication.
  11. Treat coexisting conditions: Coexisting Conditions and Reassessment of Speech or Voice Changes.

The history audit records the baseline and mapping. “Temporary communication support” is the original label; the detailed page explains that support can also be intermittent or ongoing. Voice, fluency, articulation and language need different assessment and care. An exercise that helps one presentation should not be assumed to help another.

For familiar episodes, changed symptoms and urgent assessment, see the overview.

Motor and vocal tic-like symptoms

Motor or vocal tic-like symptoms may coexist with the symptoms discussed here. Their diagnosis and treatment should follow the individual formulation; communication access remains available when vocal symptoms interrupt a message. See the dedicated functional-tics page.

Research and Sources

Source for this boundary: Malaty IA, Anderson S, Bennett SM, et al. Diagnosis and management of functional tic-like phenomena. Journal of Clinical Medicine. 2022;11(21):6470. FND-CIT-0110; source.