OMDs & speech

Traditional articulation therapy works for many children. That said, it does not always correct the speech sound errors of children with orofacial myofunctional disorders (OMDs). If your child requires additional support, I will address errors using a combination of traditional articulation techniques and myofunctional therapy techniques designed to disassociate oral-facial movements to better stabilize and control movements.

➥ Did you know that your child can see a private SLP, even if they receive speech services at school? If your child has an IEP for speech sound production, we can work with their current speech-language pathologist to coordinate care.

OMDs that can affect articulation include

  1. incorrect oral rest posture
  2. sucking habits
  3. tongue thrust
  4. malocclusions
  5. tethered oral tissues (tongue/lip tie)

The speech sounds most frequently affected by OMDs:

  • /t/ as in table
  • /d/ as in dog
  • /n/ as in no
  • /l/ as in lucky
  • /s/ as in sunshine
  • /z/ as in zoo
  • /j/ as in yummy
  • /r/ as in rabbit
  • “sh” as in shoe
  • “ch” as in cherry

What can you expect from our speech therapy sessions?

Assessment:

I will evaluate your child’s speech abilities,  identify any areas of difficulty or delays, and determine the nature and extent of your child’s communication problems.

Treatment

I will provide effective therapy to help your child improve their speech skills. Your child’s treatment plan will be tailored to their individual needs and goals.

Communication

I will help you understand your child’s communication difficulties and how you can best support their progress outside of therapy. You will learn strategies you can use to help you (and others)  understand what your child is trying to say and to help your child communicate more effectively.

Teamwork

If I find that your child needs a referral to another type of specialist (such as an ENT or OT), I will discuss my findings with you, work with you to establish connections, and collaborate with the care team, as appropriate. 

Progress Tracking

I will track your child’s progress over time and share regular updates with you so that you can know how your child is progressing towards their communication goals and what changes you can expect to see in your child’s speech and language abilities.

Support

I will provide support and guidance throughout the therapy process. We are part of a team working together to help your child overcome their communication challenges.