Supporting Your Child’s Communication Journey
As a parent, hearing your child’s first words is an unforgettable milestone. From those initial babbles to full sentences, their ability to communicate is a beautiful process to witness. But what happens when you notice a slight stutter, a struggle with certain sounds, or a delay in their language development? It’s natural to have questions and concerns. For many families in Middleton, Boise, and across the Treasure Valley, understanding the path to clear and confident communication is the first step toward getting their child the support they need.
Often, speech difficulties are just one piece of a larger puzzle. They can be linked to the way a child’s facial and oral muscles function, affecting everything from breathing and swallowing to the clarity of their speech. This is where an integrated approach, combining traditional speech therapy with specialized care, can make all the difference.
Recognizing the Signs: When to Consider Speech Therapy
It’s not always easy to know if your child’s speech development is on track. While every child learns at their own pace, there are common signs that might indicate a need for a professional evaluation. Early intervention is key and can significantly improve a child’s communication skills, social interactions, and academic success.
Common Indicators for Toddlers & Preschoolers:
- Articulation Issues: Difficulty pronouncing certain sounds or words. For example, saying “wabbit” for “rabbit” or leaving off word endings.
- Language Delays: Not meeting typical milestones, like using two-word phrases by age two or having a vocabulary of around 50 words.
- Difficulty Being Understood: Family might understand them, but strangers struggle. Unfamiliar listeners should understand about 50% of a 2-year-old’s speech and 75% of a 3-year-old’s.
- Frustration with Communication: Becoming visibly upset when they can’t express their thoughts or needs clearly.
- Stuttering: Repeating sounds, syllables, or words, especially if it persists or worsens after age five.
If you’ve noticed any of these signs, a professional speech therapy evaluation can provide clarity and a personalized plan to help your child thrive.
The Missing Piece: What is Orofacial Myofunctional Therapy?
Sometimes, even with dedicated speech therapy, a child may continue to struggle. This can happen when the root cause isn’t just about learning sounds, but about how the muscles of the mouth and face work together. This is the focus of Orofacial Myofunctional Therapy (OMT).
OMT is like physical therapy for the face and mouth. It addresses Orofacial Myofunctional Disorders (OMDs), which are abnormal patterns in the muscles of the face and mouth that can interfere with speech, swallowing, and breathing. Common OMDs include:
- Improper Tongue Posture: The tongue resting low or forward in the mouth instead of against the roof of the mouth.
- Tongue Thrust: The tongue pushing forward against or between the teeth during swallowing or speaking.
- Chronic Mouth Breathing: Habitually breathing through the mouth instead of the nose.
- Prolonged Oral Habits: Such as thumb-sucking or extended pacifier use.
By retraining these muscles, OMT creates a proper foundation for clear speech to develop. When combined with speech therapy, it provides a comprehensive approach that addresses both the “how-to” of making sounds and the physical ability to do so correctly.
Did You Know?
The ideal resting position for your tongue is gently suctioned to the roof of your mouth, with the tip just behind the front teeth. This posture supports nasal breathing, proper jaw development, and clear speech production.
A Holistic Approach to Your Child’s Well-Being
True progress happens when we look at the whole child. A speech issue rarely exists in isolation. It can be connected to challenges with feeding, breathing, and even sleep. That’s why a collaborative, multi-disciplinary approach is so valuable for families.
At the Center for Orofacial Myology, our philosophy is rooted in integrated care. Our team of specialists works together to identify and treat the underlying causes of communication difficulties. For instance:
- → Lactation and Feeding Support: Early feeding challenges can sometimes be the first sign of an issue like a tongue-tie. Our feeding therapists and lactation consultants can address these foundational oral motor skills.
- → Tongue-Tie Release: A restricted tongue can physically limit the movements needed for both feeding and speech. An infant tongue-tie release can be a crucial step in enabling proper function.
- → Airway Evaluations: Chronic mouth breathing can alter facial development and tongue posture. Comprehensive airway evaluations ensure your child is breathing optimally, which supports better sleep and overall health.
Expert Speech Therapy for Middleton & the Treasure Valley
Navigating services for your child can be overwhelming. Finding a single clinic in the Middleton and greater Boise area that offers a full spectrum of integrated care simplifies the journey for parents. Instead of coordinating appointments between multiple providers, you can find a dedicated team that communicates and collaborates on your child’s care plan under one roof.
The Center for Orofacial Myology is committed to providing expert, compassionate care that addresses root causes, not just symptoms. We empower Treasure Valley families with the knowledge, tools, and therapies needed to help their children build a foundation for a lifetime of confident communication and vibrant health.
Ready to Take the Next Step?
If you have concerns about your child’s speech or oral development, a consultation can provide the answers and direction you need. Schedule an evaluation with our team of specialists today.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between a speech delay and a speech disorder?
A speech delay means a child is developing speech and language skills in a typical sequence, but at a slower pace than their peers. A speech disorder involves atypical development, such as difficulty forming specific sounds (articulation disorder) or challenges with the flow of speech (fluency disorder, like stuttering). An evaluation with a speech-language pathologist can determine the specific nature of your child’s challenges.
At what age should I be concerned about my child’s speech?
While there is a wide range of “normal,” general milestones are helpful. For example, by age 2, children should be using at least 50 words and putting two words together. By age 3, their speech should be mostly understandable to people outside the family. If you have any concerns at any age, it is always best to seek a professional opinion. Early intervention provides the best outcomes.
How does a tongue-tie affect speech?
A tongue-tie, or ankyloglossia, restricts the tongue’s range of motion. The tongue is a crucial muscle for making speech sounds; it needs to move quickly and precisely to many different spots in the mouth. A restriction can make it difficult to produce sounds that require elevating the tongue tip, such as /t/, /d/, /n/, /l/, /s/, and /r/, leading to articulation difficulties.
Glossary of Terms
Articulation: The physical act of producing speech sounds. An articulation disorder is difficulty making sounds correctly.
Orofacial Myofunctional Disorder (OMD): An abnormal pattern of the lips, jaw, or tongue during rest, swallowing, or speech. Examples include tongue thrust and chronic mouth breathing.
Tongue Posture: The position of the tongue when it is at rest. Proper posture involves the tongue resting against the roof of the mouth.
Tongue Thrust: The habit of pushing the tongue forward against or between the teeth when swallowing or speaking, which can affect teeth alignment and speech clarity.