Mind the Gap: Evaluation and Management of Vocal Fold Paralysis

Description

Presented by: Sarah Schneider, MS, CCC-SLP, ASHA-F Sarah L. Schneider, MS, CCC-SLP, ASHA-F, is Associate Professor and Speech Pathology Director in the Department of Otolaryngology–Head and Neck Surgery at the University of California, San Francisco. She is Co-Director of the UCSF Voice and Swallowing Center, where she provides clinical care across the spectrum of voice and upper airway disorders. She lectures nationally and internationally, develops continuing education programs, and has authored numerous research and scholarly publications. Sarah serves as Co-President of the Board for the Alliance of Voice, Airway, and Swallowing Education (AVASE), is Secretary of the Supervision Committee for Pathway for Advanced Voice Education and Service (PAVES), and is a Fellow of the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association.

Disclosures: Sarah is a receiving an honorarium for this presentation. She receives royalties for products that may be mentioned during the presentation. Sarah is the Co-President of the Board for Allian for Voice, Swallowing, and Upper Airway Education 

Session Description: Successful management of unilateral vocal fold paralysis begins with a comprehensive voice evaluation that identifies the underlying pathophysiology and informs individualized treatment planning. This session will highlight key components of the evaluation process, including interpretation of laryngeal findings and stimulability testing, to guide clinical decision-making regarding the role, timing, and approach to voice therapy. Drawing on current evidence and representative patient cases, participants will explore evidence-based therapeutic techniques that integrate clinical findings with patient goals and functional communication needs to optimize voice outcomes across the continuum of care. 

Instructional Level: Intermediate 

Benefits: Enhanced clinical decision-making through improved interpretation of voice evaluation findings and application of evidence-based treatment strategies, resulting in more individualized, functionally relevant management of patients with unilateral vocal fold paralysis. 

Risks: Application of voice evaluation findings and therapeutic techniques without consideration of the underlying pathophysiology, medical status, or patient-specific factors may result in inappropriate treatment planning and suboptimal voice outcomes. 

Learner Outcomes:

 1. Identify key components of the voice evaluation that inform clinical decision-making for patients with unilateral vocal fold paralysis. 

2. Differentiate voice therapy approaches based on patient presentation, laryngeal findings, and current evidence.

3. Apply evidence-based voice therapy techniques to the management of unilateral vocal fold paralysis through case-based clinical decision-making. 

Cancellation Policy: Cancellations that occur within 7 days of the course will not be refunded. 

ASHA CE Registry: If you are a member of the ASHA CE Registry and would like CSHA to report your coursework to the Registry, you must check "Yes" for ASHA reporting during your registration. By doing so, you consent to having your information sent to ASHA CE. Visit the following link to learn more about eligibility to earn ASHA CEUs. ASHA CEU Eligibility To receive credit for this course, please be present for the entire seminar. Following the conclusion of the course, attendees will be asked to complete a course survey and to identify three things that have learned from the course. Certificates are contingent on the completion of the end of course survey. The session is being offered for .15 ASHA CEUs. (Intermediate)