Understanding the Connection Between Oral Function and Clear Communication
As a parent in Boise, you diligently track your child’s milestones. You celebrate their first steps, their first tooth, and eagerly await their first words. But what happens when their speech doesn’t seem to be progressing as expected? It’s natural to feel concerned about a potential speech delay. While traditional speech therapy is an invaluable resource for many children, sometimes there are underlying functional issues that need to be addressed first for therapy to be truly effective. The way your child’s facial, jaw, and tongue muscles work together—or don’t—plays a foundational role in their ability to form sounds correctly. At the Center for Orofacial Myology, we look at the whole picture to identify and treat the root causes behind speech difficulties.
Recognizing Early Signs of Speech & Language Delays
Knowing what to look for can help you identify potential issues early. While every child develops at their own pace, here are some general milestones to keep in mind:
By 12-17 Months
- Doesn’t use gestures like waving or pointing.
- Isn’t saying one or two simple words like “mama” or “dada.”
- Doesn’t respond to their name.
By 18-24 Months
- Has a vocabulary of fewer than 50 words.
- Isn’t combining two words together, like “more juice.”
- Cannot point to a few body parts when asked.
By 2-3 Years
- Speech is difficult for familiar caregivers to understand.
- Doesn’t use 3-4 word sentences.
- Doesn’t ask simple “who,” “what,” or “where” questions.
The Root Causes: An Orofacial Myofunctional Perspective
When speech delays persist, it’s often because the physical mechanics of speech are compromised. This is where orofacial myofunctional therapy (OMT) comes in. OMT is a specialized therapy that corrects improper function of the tongue, jaw, and facial muscles. These disorders, known as Orofacial Myofunctional Disorders (OMDs), can be the primary barrier to clear speech.
Tongue-Tie (Ankyloglossia)
A tongue-tie is a condition where a short, tight band of tissue tethers the tongue to the floor of the mouth, restricting its range of motion. This seemingly small issue can have a big impact. For clear speech, the tongue needs to move freely and quickly to touch different parts of the mouth. A tongue-tie can make it difficult to produce sounds like ‘t’, ‘d’, ‘l’, ‘r’, ‘s’, and ‘z’. If your child has trouble lifting their tongue to the roof of their mouth or sticking it out, an infant tongue-tie release may be a necessary step toward clearer speech.
Improper Oral Rest Posture
Where does your child’s tongue rest when they aren’t eating or talking? The ideal oral resting posture is with lips together, teeth slightly apart, and the tongue resting gently against the roof of the mouth. Many children with speech issues have a low-resting tongue posture, often accompanied by an open mouth. This incorrect posture fails to provide the structural support needed for proper palate development and weakens the oral muscles essential for articulation.
Chronic Mouth Breathing
Breathing through the mouth instead of the nose often forces the tongue to rest low and forward in the mouth to open the airway. This habit can lead to weakened lip and tongue muscles, an elongated facial structure, and affect how speech sounds resonate. Children who are chronic mouth breathers may have muffled or nasal-sounding speech and struggle with specific sounds. Our comprehensive airway evaluations can help determine if breathing patterns are impacting your child’s speech and overall health.
Feeding and Swallowing Difficulties
The same muscles used for speech are also used for chewing and swallowing. Picky eating, difficulty managing different food textures, or messy eating can be red flags for underlying oral motor weakness. If the tongue and jaw muscles are not strong and coordinated enough for eating, they will also struggle with the precise movements required for clear speech. Addressing these foundational issues with feeding therapy can create a positive ripple effect on a child’s communication skills.
Did You Know?
The tongue is a complex group of eight muscles that must work in harmony for clear speech and proper swallowing.
Nasal breathing is crucial as it warms, filters, and humidifies the air, which supports both respiratory health and proper oral development.
Correct tongue posture against the palate helps shape a wide, healthy dental arch, providing ample room for adult teeth to erupt properly.
A Holistic Approach to Speech Therapy in Boise
For families across the Treasure Valley, finding comprehensive care can feel overwhelming. At the Center for Orofacial Myology, we eliminate the fragmented approach. Our clinic in Boise offers an integrated solution where speech-language pathologists work alongside myofunctional therapists, lactation consultants, and physical therapists. This collaborative environment ensures that we’re not just treating the symptom—we’re resolving the cause.
By combining traditional speech therapy with orofacial myofunctional therapy, we build a strong foundation for lasting success. We empower your child with the correct muscle function and movement patterns they need to breathe, eat, and speak with confidence. Our dedicated team of specialists is committed to providing expert, compassionate care tailored to your child’s unique needs.
Ready to Get to the Root of the Issue?
If you suspect your child’s speech delay is part of a bigger picture, don’t wait. A comprehensive evaluation can provide the answers and clarity your family needs. Let us help you unlock your child’s full communication potential with our integrated and holistic approach.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is orofacial myofunctional therapy (OMT)?
OMT is physical therapy for the muscles of the mouth and face. It uses specific exercises to correct issues like improper swallowing, poor tongue posture, and mouth breathing, which can impact speech, breathing, and dental development.
How do I know if my child’s tongue-tie is affecting their speech?
Signs include difficulty pronouncing sounds made with the tip of the tongue (like t, d, n, l, s, z), a heart-shaped tongue when stuck out, or trouble licking an ice cream cone. A professional evaluation is the best way to determine its impact.
My child is a mouth breather. Is that a problem?
Yes, chronic mouth breathing can be a significant problem. It can lead to poor sleep, changes in facial development, dental issues, and speech problems. The nose is designed for breathing; the mouth is for backup. If it’s a consistent habit, an evaluation is recommended.
At what age is an orofacial myology evaluation appropriate?
Evaluations can be beneficial at any age. We work with infants struggling with feeding all the way through to adults. If you notice signs of an OMD, such as mouth breathing, messy eating, or speech clarity issues, it’s a good time to schedule a consultation.
How does OMT work with traditional speech therapy?
They work as a team. OMT acts as the foundation, correcting the physical function of the oral muscles. This makes the work done in traditional articulation therapy more effective and efficient, as the muscles are then strong and coordinated enough to produce the correct sounds.