ABSTRACT
This chapter provides an overview of the speech and language therapists (SLTs) involvement with male-to-female clients from the point of referral to the stage of discharge. SLT intervention includes assessment, treatment and, with the ENT surgeon, making a decision with respect to the need for pitch elevation surgery. The SLT outlines the expectations of the client, which will include regular attendance at sessions and a commitment to practising communication and voice exercises. Direct therapy with male-to-female clients centres on the speech and voice parameters of pitch, resonance, intonation, articulation, prosody, intensity, language use, communicative style and manner of voicing. The patient is known to the SLT and therefore baseline measurements of the individual’s voice will already exist. Pre-surgically, an audio recording and a pitch measurement should be made if possible. The ideal surgical procedure would shorten and reduce the bulk of the male vocal cords, with appropriate pitch elevation, maintained permanently.
