In the advanced courses of the CRAFTA education program, course members will encounter speech issues, with a particular emphasis on functional dysphonia (FD). FD is an often-underappreciated condition affecting individuals who intensely use their voice, whether professionally or otherwise. This brief outlines FD and provides a summary of what a certified CRAFTA Therapist can offer to patients dealing with this condition.

What is Functional Dysphonia?

Functional Dysphonia (FD) is a condition characterized by voice problems in the absence of a physical laryngeal pathology. It often manifests due to aberrant muscle contractions resulting in changes in voice quality (Roy and Bless 2000).