title: Velopharyngeal incompetence: the need for speech standards.
abstract: Speech-language pathologists are often involved in the diagnosis and treatment of velopharyngeal incompetence (VPI). Some speech-language pathologists have extensive educational and clinical experience with VPI; others have limited training and experience. Thus, the quality of speech-language services for people with VPI is heterogenous, and it ranges from poor to excellent. There are, as yet, no specific guidelines for speech-language pathologists providing services to people with VPI. Optimal services require specific guidelines for training and experience. The purpose of this article was to (a) review speech-language pathology standards and qualifications, (b) provide reasons for identifying qualified speech-language pathologists, and (c) identify strategies for reduction of risks involved in the delivery of speech-language services for people with VPI.
authors.affiliation: Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center, Mollie E. Webb Speech and Hearing Center, 3735 Blair Street, Shreveport, LA 71103, USA. mpannb@lsuhsc.edu
authors.forename: Mary
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Pannbacker
mesh_terms: D002568:Certification; D002983:Clinical Competence / Q000592:standards*; D006801:Humans; D010160:Palate, Soft / Q000503:physiopathology; D010614:Pharynx / Q000503:physiopathology; D017410:Practice Guidelines as Topic; D013066:Speech-Language Pathology / Q000592:standards*; D014481:United States; D014681:Velopharyngeal Insufficiency / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000628:therapy*