Is It More Than Just Speech?
As a parent, hearing your child struggle with words can be concerning. You might notice they have trouble with certain sounds, lisp, or are simply harder to understand than their peers. While traditional speech therapy is an essential tool, sometimes the root of the problem lies deeper than just sound production. It can be connected to the way the muscles of the mouth, jaw, and face function during rest, swallowing, and breathing. At Center for Orofacial Myology, we specialize in looking at the whole picture, combining expert speech therapy with a deep understanding of oral function to help children across Boise and the Treasure Valley achieve lasting clarity and confidence.
This integrated approach addresses the underlying mechanics of speech. When the muscles aren’t working correctly, it’s like trying to play a piano that’s out of tune. By addressing the foundational muscle patterns, we set the stage for more effective and permanent progress in speech development.
The Hidden Connection: Orofacial Myofunctional Disorders and Speech
An Orofacial Myofunctional Disorder (OMD) is an atypical pattern of the lips, jaw, tongue, and facial muscles. These imbalances can seem minor, but they have a significant impact on how a child eats, breathes, and speaks. By identifying and treating OMDs, we can unlock a child’s full potential for clear speech.
Incorrect Tongue Posture
Ideally, the tongue should rest gently suctioned to the roof of the mouth, just behind the front teeth. When a child has a low or forward tongue posture, often due to chronic mouth breathing or other issues, it weakens the tongue and affects the ability to produce sounds that require precise tongue-tip elevation, such as /t/, /d/, /l/, /n/, and /s/.
Tongue Thrust Swallow
A tongue thrust is an immature swallowing pattern where the tongue pushes forward against or between the teeth. This constant forward pressure can lead to dental issues like an open bite and is a direct cause of a frontal lisp, where “s” and “z” sounds are produced with the tongue pushing out. Correcting the swallow is crucial for resolving this type of speech error.
Mouth Breathing and Airway Issues
Consistent mouth breathing changes the entire oral environment. It forces the tongue down and forward, alters facial growth, and can contribute to sleep-disordered breathing. This low tongue posture, as mentioned, is a major contributor to articulation difficulties. Our comprehensive airway evaluations help identify if breathing patterns are the root cause of your child’s speech challenges.
Tethered Oral Tissues (Tongue-Tie)
Ankyloglossia, or tongue-tie, is a condition where the band of tissue connecting the tongue to the floor of the mouth is too short or tight. This can physically restrict the tongue’s range of motion, making it difficult or impossible to elevate the tip to the palate for many speech sounds. For infants, this can also impact feeding, leading to challenges with lactation support. A thorough evaluation can determine if an infant tongue-tie release could be beneficial.
An Integrated vs. Traditional Approach
Understanding the difference in approaches can help you see why addressing the root cause is so vital for long-term success.
| Focus Area | Traditional Speech Therapy | Integrated Myofunctional & Speech Therapy |
|---|---|---|
| Articulation | Focuses on correct placement for specific sounds and practicing them in words and sentences. | Achieves correct placement by first ensuring the muscles have the strength and coordination to get there. |
| Muscle Function | May use oral motor exercises, but doesn’t always address the resting posture of the tongue and lips. | Directly targets retraining improper muscle patterns during rest, swallowing, and speech. |
| Breathing | Typically not a primary focus, unless directly impacting voice or fluency. | Prioritizes establishing nasal breathing to promote proper tongue posture and oral health. |
| Outcomes | Can be very effective, but progress may stall if underlying muscle issues are not resolved. | Promotes more stable, lasting results by fixing the foundation of the problem. |
Did You Know?
- The average person swallows between 500 and 700 times per day. An incorrect swallowing pattern reinforces poor muscle habits with every swallow.
- Nasal breathing is critical for proper facial and dental development, as it allows the tongue to rest on the palate, acting as a natural palate expander.
- By age 5, a child should be understood by strangers nearly 100% of the time, even if they still have minor articulation errors.
Signs to Watch For at Home
As a parent, you are the expert on your child. Here are some common signs that may indicate an underlying Orofacial Myofunctional Disorder could be impacting their speech:
- Persistent Mouth Breathing: Does your child often have their mouth open when watching TV, playing, or sleeping? Do they snore?
- Messy or Noisy Eating: Difficulties with chewing, smacking sounds, or food falling out of the mouth can signal poor oral muscle control.
- A Visible Tongue Thrust: Can you see their tongue push between their teeth when they swallow or sometimes even when they talk?
- Speech Errors Past Developmental Norms: A lisp or trouble with sounds like /r/, /l/, or “sh” that persists longer than expected.
- Dental Concerns: Your dentist or orthodontist may have mentioned an open bite, crossbite, or high, narrow palate.
If you notice any of these signs, an evaluation for orofacial myofunctional therapy could provide the answers you need.
Comprehensive Speech Support for Boise Families
Navigating different specialists can be exhausting for parents. At the Center for Orofacial Myology, we provide a holistic and collaborative home for your child’s care right here in Boise. Our unique model brings together experts in speech pathology, orofacial myology, feeding therapy, and physical therapy under one roof. This means our team works together to create a unified treatment plan that addresses the root cause of your child’s challenges, not just the symptoms.
For families across the Treasure Valley, this means fewer appointments, better communication between providers, and more effective, integrated care that supports your child’s overall development and well-being.
Ready to Find the Root Cause?
If you suspect your child’s speech difficulties might be linked to how their oral muscles function, it’s time to get a comprehensive evaluation. Let our expert team help you understand the full picture and create a path toward clear and confident communication.
Frequently Asked Questions
What’s the main difference between speech therapy and myofunctional therapy?
Think of it this way: Speech therapy is the “software” that teaches the brain how to make the right sounds. Orofacial myofunctional therapy is the “hardware” update that ensures the muscles (tongue, lips, jaw) are strong and coordinated enough to run that software correctly. We often need both for the system to work perfectly.
At what age can a child start orofacial myofunctional therapy?
Therapy can be adapted for different ages. While intensive therapy programs are often most effective for children around age 5 and older who can consciously follow directions, early intervention for infants and toddlers focuses on guiding proper oral habits, addressing feeding issues, and preventing OMDs from becoming more established.
How do I know if my child’s lisp is caused by a tongue thrust?
A trained therapist can make a definitive diagnosis, but a key sign of a tongue-thrust-related lisp (or frontal lisp) is the tongue visibly pushing between the front teeth on /s/ and /z/ sounds. This is different from a lateral lisp, where air escapes over the sides of the tongue. An evaluation can clarify the cause.
Does a tongue-tie always cause speech problems?
Not always, but it is a significant risk factor. The impact of a tongue-tie depends on its severity and the child’s ability to compensate. Even if a child’s speech seems generally okay, a restricted tongue can cause jaw tension and other issues that surface later. A functional assessment is key.
What does an initial evaluation at your Boise clinic involve?
Our initial evaluation is a comprehensive assessment where we look at your child’s oral structures, breathing patterns, swallowing function, and speech production. We take a detailed history and, most importantly, listen to your concerns to develop a personalized treatment plan. You can schedule a consultation to begin the process.