Adolescent male-to-female transgender voice and communication therapy

Current research to describe and evaluate effectiveness of voice and communication therapy for male-to-female transgender people is limited to adults. This paper provides rationale, procedures, and outcomes from voice and communication therapy for a male-to-female transgender adolescent 15 years of age. Treatment addressed vocal hygiene, breath support, fundamental frequency, intonation, resonance and vocal quality, and rate. Positive acoustic, perceptual, and client self-report outcomes confirm treatment effectiveness for this adolescent.Learning outcomes: The reader will be able to recognize common aspects of transgender voice and communication therapy provided by a speech-language pathologist. The reader will also be able to explain the effectiveness of therapy provided to an adolescent speaker.

► Implications of age on transgender therapy effectiveness have not been explored. ► A 15 year old participated in therapy based on principles established for adults. ► Psychosoical, acoustic, and perceptual measures were collected throughout therapy. ► Voice and communication therapy was effective for this transgender adolescent.