An SLP can help with Orofacial Myofunctional Disorders
What are Orofacial Myofunctional Disorders (OMDs)?
Orofacial Myofunctional Disorders (OMDs) refer to differences in how the muscles of the mouth, face, and jaw work together, which can affect everyday activities like speaking, swallowing, and breathing. At Jordan Speech-Language Therapy in Chicago, we provide personalized support for children with OMDs through orofacial myofunctional therapy (OMT). When muscle patterns aren’t functioning as expected, it can impact how your child speaks, swallows, and breathes. Our goal is to help improve these functions so your child feels more comfortable and confident in their communication and feeding.
How do OMDs impact day to day living?
There are three core areas that we see OMDs affect the quality of life for children.
Speech: Orofacial myofunctional disorders (OMDs) can influence speech clarity, especially with sounds like /s/, /z/, /sh/, and /ch/. Tongue thrust—a pattern where the tongue moves forward during speech or rests in a forward position—may be one contributing factor. These differences in tongue movement or posture can result in speech that sounds less clear or varies from typical patterns.
Swallowing: Swallowing involves coordinated movements of the tongue, jaw, and lips. In individuals with OMDs, variations in tongue posture or movement patterns may lead to less efficient swallowing, which can make feeding and eating more effortful.
Breathing: Mouth breathing is sometimes associated with OMDs and may relate to changes in oral health and facial development over time. It may also be connected with differences in tongue posture, such as a lower or more forward resting position.
How Orofacial Myofunctional Therapy (OMT) can help?
Orofacial Myofunctional Therapy (OMT) is a specialized approach that supports the coordination and function of muscles involved in speech, swallowing, and breathing. At Jordan Speech-Language Therapy, we use OMT to gently guide and support the development of functional movement patterns that contribute to these important skills.
Speech: OMT can help support more coordinated tongue and lip movements, which may enhance speech clarity and sound production. By encouraging functional tongue posture and movement, OMT helps create the conditions for more efficient articulation.
Swallowing: OMT offers strategies to support the coordination of the tongue and oral muscles during swallowing. This can contribute to more comfortable and effective swallowing patterns.
Breathing: We introduce nasal breathing techniques that may help reduce reliance on mouth breathing. These strategies can support a more typical tongue resting posture and promote overall oral function and well-being.
The role of a Speech-Language Pathologist in Orofacial Myofunctional Therapy
At Jordan Speech-Language Therapy, Orofacial Myofunctional Therapy (OMT) is used to support the development of functional patterns for speech, swallowing, and breathing. With specialized training in orofacial anatomy, speech production, and feeding, therapy is grounded in a comprehensive understanding of how these systems work together. Each therapy plan begins with a detailed assessment to identify muscle patterns that may be impacting function. From there, a personalized plan is developed with exercises designed to build strength, coordination, and healthy habits. Activities are practiced both during sessions and at home, with ongoing support to ensure they fit naturally into daily routines. Progress is monitored closely, and the plan is adjusted as needed to support continued growth and success.
How to combine OMT with other treatments?
Orofacial Myofunctional Therapy (OMT) plays a key role in helping children improve speech, swallowing, and breathing. At Jordan Speech-Language Therapy, we understand how important it is for your child to feel confident in their communication and oral health. While OMT can significantly enhance muscle function, it’s often most effective when combined with other treatments, such as orthodontic care, to address structural issues like misaligned teeth or jaw development. Our goal is to provide your child with personalized therapy that not only improves communication but also supports healthy feeding and breathing. If you think your child may be experiencing challenges related to OMDs, we’re here to support you every step of the way.
Want to learn more?
Contact Jordan Speech-Language Therapy today to learn more about how our specialized pediatric OMT services can help your child thrive.