Major focus area

Speech Therapy -> Oral Motor Skills

Short description

Orofacial Myofunctional Therapy is an evidenced-based treatment approach that falls under the umbrella of oral motor therapy and aims to eliminate oral habits, establish and maintain nasal breathing, develop proper oral rest posture, develop correct chewing and swallowing patterns, and correct speech sound errors by using muscle strengthening exercises, therapeutic tools and tactile stimulation.

Long description

Long description: According to The Oral Motor Institute, an orofacial myofunctional disorder describes any irregularities in the form and function of the muscles or the face and mouth, including dental or skeletal structures that could affect normal growth and development. OMDs can occur throughout the lifespan and may present differently in different age groups. OMDs may also interfere with how the muscles of the face and mouth are used for talking and especially impact production of alveolars (t, d, n, l), sibilants (s, z), palatals (sh, ch, zh, dg), and /r/. Orofacial Myofunctional Therapy is an evidenced-based treatment approach that falls under the umbrella of oral motor therapy and is not to be confused with Non-Speech Oral Motor Exercises (NSOME) as described by Dr. Lof. Orofacial myofunctional therapy aims to eliminate oral habits, establish and maintain nasal breathing, develop proper oral rest posture, develop correct chewing and swallowing patterns, and correct speech sound errors by using muscle strengthening exercises, therapeutic tools and tactile stimulation. The primary purpose of orofacial myofunctional therapy is to create an oral environment in which normal processes of orofacial and dental growth and development can take place, and be maintained (Hanson & Mason, 2003).