Inducible laryngeal obstruction: the SLP’s role, per ASHA
ASHA says that SLPs “play a central role in the screening, assessment, diagnosis, and treatment of ILO.” This page quotes ASHA only.
Quoted from official pages checked November 12, 2026. Confirm current information on those sites. This page is not medical advice and does not describe any patient’s care.
Source read on November 12, 2026: ASHA’s Practice Portal page Inducible Laryngeal Obstruction.
ASHA’s Practice Portal pages are written for clinicians. Quotes below stop before ASHA’s in-text research citations.
What ILO is
ASHA states: “Inducible laryngeal obstruction (ILO) is the involuntary, intermittent, and episodic adduction of the larynx during inspiration. It is induced by specific irritants, exposures, and/or activities.”
ASHA notes that older terms for ILO include vocal cord dysfunction and paradoxical vocal fold motion (paraphrased).
Roles ASHA lists for SLPs
- “Screening individuals who present with signs and symptoms that are consistent with ILO and determining the need for further assessment and/or referral to other services.”
- “Assessing and diagnosing impairments of laryngeal function associated with ILO.”
- “Making evidence-based recommendations about the management of ILO and exercise-based ILO.”
- “Educating and counseling people with ILO and their care partners on the signs, symptoms, and triggers for ILO and how these differ from the signs, symptoms, and triggers for asthma and other upper airway disorders.”
ASHA lists using laryngeal endoscopy for assessment as an SLP role given proper training and/or certification (paraphrased).
What this page does not do
It does not repeat ASHA’s symptom list, breathing techniques, or research summaries. It is not medical advice and does not recommend any treatment, medicine, device, or product. Scope of practice is set by state law; check your state board.