[Voice therapy according to Smith. Comments on the accent method of treating voice and speech disorders].

The accent method (A.M.) is based on the myoelastic and aerodynamic phonatory theory. The aim of the respiration exercises is to establish a predominantly abdominal respiration. Following the exercises of accentuated phonatory pulsations, patients work on reading special texts designed to enable them to become aware of the accentuated or unaccentuated sections. The AM is based on a holistic understanding of the voice and of speech. Whilst the exercise of AM is linked to a physiological phenomenon, such as phonatory aerodynamics and muscular function, the method is to be understood as a therapy aimed at producing an overall change in the behaviour related to oral communication disorders. The aim is not so much to eliminate a given particular defect, but rather to condition a subconscious automatism.