"SPASMODIC DYSPHONIA: When No Words Come Out"

Following is a personal story on Spasmodic Dysphonia reported by ABC News' correspondant, David Muir.  It was featured on ABC News in Ausust  2008.

"Scott Adams is the cartoonist who gives Dilbert a voice -- a gift he wishes he could give himself. "It feels like you're being strangled from the inside out," he told ABC News' David Muir. That's right -- strangled. Adams said he literally chokes on his own words. It's a strange and isolating condition that began after what seemed like normal laryngitis.   "I couldn't talk normally for over a year," Adams said. "I still don't talk normally." 
Read more about Scott's story at:
http://abcnews.go.com/Health/MedicalMysteries/story?id=5480171

SPEAK TO ME...

At this year’s ASHA's Annual Convention,  "attendees were welcomed by a music video showcasing a song produced to celebrate and recognize audiologists and speech-language pathologists. The song, "Speak to Me," was written by one of ASHA’s staff members, IS Director Mike Guerrieri.

Mike was inspired to write this song primarily because of his mother and her struggles with a communications disorder."

Check Out These Two Professional Articles about SD!

1. "Outcomes of Botulinum Toxin Treatment for Patients with Spasmodic Dysphonia."

Botulinum Toxin injections remain one of the leading treatments in the fight against Spasmodic Dysphonia (SD). But, what is the actual effect SD has on the quality of life? Michael S. Benninger, MD; Gelendon Gardner, MD; and Cynthia Grywalski, CCP-SLP took a closer look at this question by using a system called Voice Handicap Index (VHI) to measure the difference in the quality of life of 30 SD patients before and after Botulinum Toxin injections. The VHI uses a five point scale survey that measures the physical, functional, and emotional impact of SD. The study concluded that 22 of the 30 patients who completed the survey, post treatment, showed substantial improvement in their quality of life.

            Benninger, MD, Michael S., Glendon Gardner, MD, and Cynthia Grywalski, CCP-SLP.   "Outcomes of Botulinum Toxin Treatment for Patients with Spasmodic Dysphonia."   Arch Otolaryngology Head Neck Surgery 127.9 (2001): 1146-148. Print.

2. "Research Priorities in Spasmodic Dysphonia."

            In 2008, a diverse group of scientists and clinicians were assembled to analyze current Spasmodic Dyspohonia (SD) information and to decide on the top research priorities regarding the condition. (Backgrounds of the medical group gathered included: neurology, speech pathology, genetics, neuroscience, and otolaryngology.) The group hoped to gain a better understanding of the causes of SD, its diagnosis, as well as ways to improve available treatments. Ultimately, the group aimed to greatly improve the care of SD patients through speech pathology, neurology, and otolaryngology. The identification of risk factors of the disorder was deemed the top priority of research involving SD.  

Tanner, MD, PhD, Caroline M., H. A. Jinnah, MD, PhD, Andrew Biltzer, MD, DDS, Sandra B. Martin, MS, et al. "Research Priorities in Spasmodic Dysphonia." Otolaryngology-  Head and Neck Surgery 139.4 (2008): 495-505. Print.