Voice, Speech, and Language Habilitation in Young Children Without Laryngeal Function

We discuss aphonia in children, secondary to laryngeal obstruction, with regard to the development of a voice, speech, and language system that can be an effective and efficient means of communication while obstruction persists and a precursor to good voice and speech habits if and when the laryngeal function is reestablished. Several methods were considered. A technique of esophageal voice training for children was developed and implemented, which combined the aspects of normal language learning with the mechanical aspects of esophageal voice production. Results showed rapid learning in a 2 1/2-year-old child with severe juvenile laryngeal papillomatosis and normal speech and language at the age of 4 years when laryngeal function returned. A second technique, a communication board, was used with a 4-year-old child with total subglottic stenosis and brain damage.