Addressing Concerns About Your Child's Voice

Parents often ask, "does my child have a voice disorder?" Below are some questions which can be used as a guide to know whether or not your child's voice is something to be concerned about. 

1. Does your child's voice draw attention to itself, to the extent that it distracts listeners from what your child is actually saying?
2. Does your child's voice briefly disappear at times, or disappear for long periods?
3. Does your child's voice limit them when they are participating in daily activities?
4. Does your child's voice sound strained and effortful?

If the answer to any of these questions above is 'yes', it is recommended that your child's voice is assessed by a Speech Therapist. 

In the meantime, below are 8 things that you can encourage your child to do, to protect their voice. 

• drink lots of water to keep their vocal cords hydrated and healthy 
• avoid screaming, such as during sport games and in noisy places, as this damages the vocal cords 
• avoid whispering, which strains the vocal cords
• avoid making voices that strain the vocal cords during play 
• avoid clearing their throat, as this can irritate the vocal cords 
• rest their voice when they are sick 
• encourage your child to pause between ideas when speaking, to take a breath
• gently chew sugarless gum, to promote saliva production and to help relax muscles 

Also, here are 3 things you can do, to further protect your child's voice.

• be aware of possible drying effects of any medications which your child may be taking 
• use a humidifier during dry seasons 
• monitor your child for symptoms of Gastroesophageal Reflux (GERD), which include constant dry cough, ongoing throat clearing, and a feeling of a lump in their throat

Finally, if you think that your child's ongoing voice problems may have a structural cause, a consultation with an Ear Nose and Throat (ENT) Specialist can confirm or rule this out. 

​Speak Soon,
The Expat Speechie