Myofunctional Therapy

Addressing your child's articulation and feeding challenges from the root.

What is Orofacial Myofunctional Disorders and Myofunctional Therapy?

Orofacial myofunctional disorders (OMDs) are abnormal movement patterns of the face and mouth. OMDs can be the source of problems, such as drooling beyond two years of age, tongue thrust, or open mouth posture/forward tongue carriage.

Myofunctional Therapy targets the very core of the problem—the movement, strength, and function of oral muscles that influence articulation accuracy and chewing patterns.

 
Buttonloop speech therapy

Why Choose Myofunctional Therapy?

For children being treated for articulation and feeding as isolated concerns, this form of therapy addresses the foundation—oral musculature. By understanding how these muscles orchestrate the intricate dance of articulation and chewing, therapists empower children to conquer challenges with newfound confidence.

According to the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association, the primary aim of orofacial myofunctional therapy is to create an optimal oral environment for growth and development. This means that by targeting the muscles first, we set the stage for improved breathing, feeding, and articulation skills. Function follows form, making Myofunctional Therapy a holistic solution.

Is Myofunctional Therapy Right For Your Child?

While Myofunctional Therapy is a game-changer for many, it's important to recognize that not all children require this approach. Signs of Orofacial Myofunctional Disorders vary, ranging from difficulties in breathing and feeding to speech challenges. Identifying these signs is a crucial step in determining if Myofunctional Therapy is the path forward for your child. Schedule a consultation and one of our therapists would be happy to answer your questions.

 

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Commonly Asked Questions

While SLPs focus on speech and language issues from a variety of sources, Orofacial Myologists focus on oral physical problems, especially involving the tongue, that prevent normal speech development. Orofacial Myology has been defined as “the study and treatment of oral and facial muscles as they relate to speech, dentition, chewing/bolus collection, swallowing, and overall mental and physical health” (S.R Holtzman).

FAQ related to Treatment

  • Parents and caregivers are usually the first to pick up on an OMD. 

    Is your child an open mouth breather? Does he/she snore at night? Have difficulty at mealtimes or an especially messy eater? Drool or protrude tongue during feeding/drinking? 

    If you have concerns based on these questions, we would be happy to consult with you to identify the next course of action, whether with us, an ENT, or a pediatric dentist. We are passionate about setting you on the best path forward!

    • Blocked nasal passages due to size of tonsil or allergies, which may cause abnormal breathing patterns (mouth breathing instead of nose breathing). 

    • Abnormal tongue or lip resting posture which may or may not be observed as open mouth posture with forward tongue carriage. 

    • Immature sucking and chewing habits that persist past toddlerhood.  

    Citation: Orofacial Myofunctional Disorders. American Speech-Language-Hearing Association.

    (2023). https://www.asha.org/public/speech/disorders/orofacial-myofunctional-disorders/

  • Treatment will involve establishing good resting posture, as well as appropriate feeding and speaking movements. Strengthening and mobility exercises may be incorporated into therapy. 

    The focus will remain on functional outcomes resulting in better tongue positioning, range of motion, and sufficient strength for all oral activities including speech sound production, feeding, and good resting posture.

  • Working with a clinician who has an understanding of OMDs is an essential part of productive therapy.  Working with a trained professional reduces the length of time a child needs in therapy and supports the development of appropriate oral behaviors.

FAQs related to billing

  • Our clinicians are the best trained in the area!  Sometimes patients are simply working on articulation, but sometimes articulation is rooted in difficulties with mouth movements, including range of motion, strength, and/or coordination. In this case, our clinician may also develop a treatment plan involving myofunctional therapy. In this case, your insurance may be billed for both speech and oral-functional.  This may be relevant if you have a deductible or co-insurance.  If you have a copay, you may not see any change in billing.

  • No, because this is an additional service provided under just one encounter, each visit will use only one session from the pool of sessions available.

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