Breathing Attacks! Differential Diagnosis and Speech Treatment of Vocal Cord Dysfunction e-course
Vocal Cord Dysfunction (VCD) is an inappropriate closure of the vocal cords during respiration, creating an airway obstruction that most significantly affects athletes during activity. VCD is often misdiagnosed as asthma, often leading to ineffective treatment. The speech pathologist plays a vital role working within a multidisciplinary team to effectively teach and communicate a treatment plan ensuring optimal care and outcomes for these patients. This introductory level course will discuss techniques for identifying and diagnosing VCD, provide a step-by-step treatment approach, and address making referrals as necessary.Course Requirements:
- Computer with internet and working speakers/sound are required for this course.
- Course must be completed within 30 days of activation (activate course within 6 months of purchase).
- An online multiple-choice quiz (80% passing score) and submission of an online evaluation form are required for successful completion.
- A certificate of completion will be available to print immediately after course is successfully completed.
- SLPs - ASHA CEUs may be obtained by completing the online ASHA form and checking the "Report to ASHA" box.
Course Objectives
Upon successful completion of this course, participants will be able to:
- Define the population most often diagnosed with VCD
- Identify symptoms of VCD
- Evaluate the differential diagnosis between asthma and VCD
- Distinguish the effectiveness of strategies used to treat VCD
- Select appropriate referrals if VCD is suspected
Course Instructor(s)
Allison Brown
MS, CCC-SLP, BCS-S
Allison Tidwell Brown, MS, CCC-SLP, BCS-S, is a Speech Language Pathologist and Board-Certified Specialist in Swallowing and Swallowing Disorders. Her clinical focus is with infant feeding, GI, saliva management, and instrumental assessment of the swallow including VFSS. She has helped develop several programs and clinics including a multidisciplinary saliva management program. She is a lead outpatient feeding therapist for Children's Health in Dallas, TX. Allison also teaches a graduate course in Pediatric Dysphagia at the University of Texas at Dallas.
Financial Disclosure: Allison receives an honorarium from CIAO for the presentation of her live courses. She also receives royalties for the sale of her online courses.
Non-Financial Disclosure: no relevant disclosures.
Course Agenda
Contact hours pre-approved for:
- 2.0 Hours
- CIAO is an ASHA Approved Provider #AAWA (0.2 ASHA CEUs) bubble sheet required
- CIAO is an AOTA Approved Provider #4119 (0.2 AOTA CEUs)
- ASHA CE Provider Approval and use of the Brand Block does not imply endorsement of course content, specific products, or clinical procedures.
- As an IACET Authorized Provider, CIAO offers CEUs for its programs that qualify under the ANSI/IACET Standard
- CIAO is authorized by IACET to offer 0.2 CEUs for this program
Introductory Level
0.2 ASHA CEUs