In this episode of the Speech and Language Kids Podcast, speech-language pathologist Carrie Clark discusses how to do speech therapy with a child who has hypernasality (or too much resonance in the nasal cavity) when they speak.
Notes:
***First, determine if there is a functional cause:
- Refer to an ENT or cleft palate team
- Your school/state may require an assessment before you begin therapy
- Speech therapy when there is velopharyngeal insufficiency not only doesn’t work but can damage self-concept and self-worth
Techniques for therapy:
- Stimulability probe: Try to get the child to imitate oral resonance
- Altering Tongue Position: Try for a lower, posterior tongue placement
- Open Mouth: Have the child speak with his mouth more open
- Change Volume: Try different volumes to see which has less nasality
- Change Pitch: Try different pitches to see which has less nasality
- Auditory Feedback: Teach the child to hear the difference between nasal and oral resonance in himself and others
- Feedback: Tell the child if productions are oral or nasal so he can learn to feel the difference
- Focus on the Facial Mask Area: Have the child draw his focus and attention to the eyes/nose area of his face
- Bio-feedback: Give the child immediate feedback on if air is coming out of the nose like placing a mirror right below nose or using a See Scape
****Voice therapy for resonance should not be continued for very long without success
- Bad for motivation and self-confidence
- Could still be a structural problem
- May need to try again when the child is older
Source:
The Voice and Voice Therapy, Seventh Edition: By Boone, McFarlane, and Von Berg
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