LSVT for Kids: Supporting Voice, Speech, and Communication
When most people hear LSVT, they think of Parkinson’s disease. However, LSVT LOUD® is not just for adults. Over the past several years, this intensive, evidence-based approach has been successfully adapted for children with motor speech and voice disorders—helping them communicate more clearly, confidently, and effectively.
What Is LSVT LOUD®?
LSVT LOUD® (Lee Silverman Voice Treatment) is a research-based speech therapy program that focuses on increasing vocal loudness to improve overall speech clarity. While “loud” may sound simple, the treatment targets much more than volume. It improves:
Voice quality
Speech intelligibility
Breath support
Articulation clarity
Prosody (speech melody and intonation)
For children, LSVT is delivered in a highly motivating, play-based, and child-friendly format while still maintaining the intensity that makes the program effective.
Why LSVT Works for Children
Many children with motor speech disorders speak with voices that are quiet, breathy, or unclear, even when they know what they want to say. LSVT helps children learn to:
Use their voice more efficiently
Coordinate breathing and speaking
Produce speech that is easier for others to understand
Build confidence in communication
Instead of focusing on many speech targets at once, LSVT uses a single, powerful cue—“Use your loud voice”—to drive system-wide changes in speech production.
Who Can Benefit from LSVT for Kids?
LSVT LOUD® has been shown to benefit children with a variety of diagnoses, including:
Motor Speech Disorders
Childhood dysarthria
Motor planning and coordination difficulties
Reduced speech precision or endurance
Down Syndrome
Children with Down syndrome often experience:
Low muscle tone (hypotonia)
Reduced breath support
Quiet or weak vocal quality
LSVT helps strengthen the speech system while improving loudness, clarity, and confidence.
Cerebral Palsy (CP)
Children with CP may struggle with:
Breath control
Vocal intensity
Consistent speech clarity
LSVT supports improved respiratory-phonatory coordination, leading to stronger, clearer speech.
Other Neurological or Genetic Conditions
LSVT may also be appropriate for children with:
Traumatic brain injury
Neuromuscular disorders
Genetic syndromes affecting speech and voice
What Does LSVT Look Like for Kids?
LSVT for children follows the same evidence-based structure as the adult program but is adapted developmentally:
4 sessions per week for 4 weeks
Individual, intensive therapy
Sessions include games, movement, visuals, and child-chosen activities
Daily practice is supported with simple, achievable home activities
Therapy is energetic, encouraging, and success-oriented. Children are taught to recognize what a “strong voice” feels and sounds like and how to use it across environments—home, school, and social settings.
Beyond Loudness: Functional Communication Gains
Parents often notice improvements beyond speech volume, such as:
Increased confidence when speaking
Better participation in class
Improved intelligibility with peers and adults
Greater willingness to initiate communication
These functional changes are what truly matter—helping children be heard, understood, and included.
Is LSVT Right for My Child?
LSVT is not a one-size-fits-all approach. A comprehensive speech-language evaluation is essential to determine whether this intensive model is appropriate for your child’s needs, stamina, and goals.
When used with the right candidates, LSVT can be a powerful tool in supporting speech clarity, independence, and self-advocacy.
Final Thoughts
Children with motor speech and neurological challenges deserve therapy approaches that are evidence-based, empowering, and functional. LSVT for Kids offers a structured yet motivating way to strengthen the speech system and help children communicate with confidence.
If you’re curious whether LSVT could benefit your child, reach out to a certified Speech-Language Pathologist trained in LSVT LOUD® for pediatric populations.