Functional Aphonia in the Child and Adolescent

Five cases of adolescents with functional aphonia are presented. The cases include four teenaged girls and one teenaged boy. Each was referred with the presenting symptom of "no voice." Indirect laryngoscopic examinations were normal. Therapeutic management is described which followed the symptomatic voice therapy approach. Four cases returned to use of full voice within two sessions, the fifth after five sessions. A consistent theme for four of the adolescents was stressful family environment, academic failure, and inadequate peer support. Referral for psychotherapeutic counseling was necessary for all but one.