Clear speech is more than “pronouncing sounds”—it’s also breath, oral muscles, and coordination.
Parents across Meridian and the Treasure Valley often start with a simple concern: “My child can’t say certain sounds,” or “People outside the family don’t understand them.” That’s a valid reason to explore speech therapy. At the same time, speech clarity can be influenced by how the tongue rests and moves, how your child breathes (nose vs. mouth), and even how they chew and swallow. A coordinated, whole-child approach can help you avoid fragmented care and get answers faster.
What “speech therapy” can address (in plain language)
Speech-language pathologists (SLPs) support children and adults with a wide range of communication needs. For many families, speech therapy focuses on:
Articulation (speech sounds): trouble with sounds like /s/, /r/, /l/, /sh/, or persistent lisps.
Intelligibility (being understood): your child talks a lot, but others miss important words.
Oral-motor coordination for speech: how lips, tongue, and jaw coordinate for clear sounds.
Foundations that affect speech: breathing patterns, tongue posture, swallow patterns, and related orofacial habits.
When there’s an underlying pattern like mouth breathing, tongue thrust, or restricted tongue movement, it can complicate progress unless it’s identified and addressed as part of the care plan. ASHA notes that orofacial myofunctional disorders can be associated with difficulty producing certain speech sounds and can also involve atypical tongue posture and swallowing patterns. (asha.org)
Parent-friendly takeaway: If speech therapy is the “what,” then breathing, tongue posture, and feeding skills are often part of the “why.”
Signs your child may benefit from an evaluation
Some kids develop sounds later than others—variation can be normal. Still, these are common “green lights” to seek a professional evaluation:
Speech sound and clarity concerns
People outside the family frequently ask your child to repeat.
Your child avoids talking in groups or seems frustrated when misunderstood.
Persistent difficulty with early-developing sounds or limited sound inventory.
ASHA provides age-based examples of speech sound concerns (e.g., certain sound patterns that may warrant a closer look). (asha.org)
Breathing, mouth posture, and “oral habits”
Frequent mouth breathing, lips-apart resting posture, or chronic open-mouth posture.
Tongue pushing forward during speech or swallowing (“tongue thrust”).
Thumb sucking or prolonged pacifier use that seems hard to stop.
Orofacial myofunctional disorders can involve tongue thrusting, mouth breathing, and speech sound distortions in some children. (asha.org)
Feeding and early history “clues”
History of painful breastfeeding, poor latch, frequent clicking, or slow weight gain.
Gagging, picky textures, prolonged mealtimes, or difficulty chewing age-appropriate foods.
Drooling past expected ages or difficulty keeping lips closed when swallowing.
Why airway and breathing patterns matter for speech (and development)
If a child consistently breathes through the mouth due to congestion, enlarged tonsils/adenoids, allergies, or other causes, it can influence tongue rest posture and facial muscle patterns. Research literature commonly links chronic mouth breathing with dentofacial and posture changes in growing children. (pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov)
Quick “Did you know?” facts
ASHA notes that mouth breathing and tongue thrusting can be part of orofacial myofunctional disorders, which may affect speech and eating. (asha.org)
Studies and reviews frequently report associations between oral breathing and malocclusions (like open bite or crossbite) and altered craniofacial growth patterns. (pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov)
For sleep-disordered breathing, myofunctional therapy is studied most often as an adjunct (not a replacement for medical care), with adult data showing improvements in sleepiness and quality-of-life measures in some analyses. (pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov)
Tongue-tie, breastfeeding, and speech: what families should know
Tongue-tie (ankyloglossia) refers to a restrictive lingual frenulum that may limit tongue movement. The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) emphasizes a careful, team-based approach—especially because breastfeeding challenges can have multiple causes and not every infant with a tongue-tie needs a procedure. (publications.aap.org)
Practical points aligned with the AAP’s guidance:
Start with a full feeding assessment when breastfeeding is painful or ineffective.
Consider conservative supports first (latch technique, positioning, milk transfer coaching).
Use procedure decisions carefully—frenotomy is typically considered when feeding problems persist despite lactation support (often described as “symptomatic” cases). (publications.aap.org)
Important note: Families sometimes hear that releasing a tongue-tie will “prevent speech problems later.” The AAP states that frenotomy for preventing future issues (including speech or sleep apnea) is not evidence-based. (publications.aap.org)
Step-by-step: what to expect from a speech-focused evaluation (with a whole-child lens)
1) A clear history (the “timeline” matters)
We’ll ask about early feeding, reflux-like symptoms, picky eating, snoring, allergies, chronic congestion, thumb sucking/pacifier use, and any prior dental or ENT findings—because these details can influence speech patterns.
2) Speech sound and intelligibility screening
We listen for error patterns (like lisps), consistency, and whether a sound error appears “learned” or possibly related to tongue movement or oral posture.
3) Orofacial function check (lips, tongue, rest posture, swallow)
ASHA describes OMD signs such as tongue thrust, mouth breathing, and distorted /s, z/ productions in some cases. (asha.org)
4) Coordination with the right services (when needed)
If the picture suggests feeding challenges, airway concerns, or tethered oral tissue questions, the goal is coordinated care—so speech goals aren’t fighting against untreated root contributors.
| Concern you notice | What it can point to | Helpful next step |
|---|---|---|
| Lisp or unclear /s/ and /z/ | Articulation pattern, tongue thrust, or atypical tongue posture | Speech therapy evaluation + orofacial myofunctional screening |
| Chronic mouth breathing / open-mouth posture | Possible nasal obstruction/allergies + oral rest posture changes | Airway evaluation + coordination with medical/dental team |
| Breastfeeding pain / poor latch in infancy | Feeding mechanics issues; sometimes tongue-tie may contribute | Lactation support first; consider tongue-tie assessment if symptoms persist (publications.aap.org) |
A local note for Meridian families
In Meridian, it’s common for families to bounce between providers—pediatric appointments, dental visits, lactation, and preschool feedback—while trying to connect the dots. If your child has speech clarity concerns plus sleep, breathing, or feeding flags, an integrated clinic can simplify next steps by coordinating evaluation priorities and therapy sequencing.
For educational handouts and learning tools, you can also explore the Center for Orofacial Myology Resources page.
Ready for a clearer plan?
If you’re in Meridian or the greater Treasure Valley and want a coordinated evaluation for speech therapy needs—especially when airway, tongue posture, feeding, or tongue-tie questions are also on your mind—schedule a consultation with the Center for Orofacial Myology.
Prefer to learn about related services first? Explore Speech Therapy, Airway Evaluations, and Lactation Support.
FAQ: Speech therapy, myofunctional therapy, and tongue-tie questions
How do I know if my child’s speech errors are “normal” or need therapy?
Some sound errors are typical at younger ages, but if your child is frequently misunderstood, becoming frustrated, or showing limited sound development for their age, an evaluation can clarify what’s expected and what’s treatable. ASHA provides early identification guidance and examples of age-linked concerns. (asha.org)
What is an orofacial myofunctional disorder (OMD)?
OMDs are atypical patterns involving the face and mouth—often including tongue posture, swallowing patterns, and sometimes mouth breathing or tongue thrusting. They can overlap with speech and feeding concerns. (asha.org)
If my baby has a tongue-tie, does that automatically mean we need a release?
Not automatically. The AAP emphasizes that tongue-tie is often a variation of normal anatomy, and intervention is typically considered when there are ongoing breastfeeding problems that do not improve with lactation support (often described as “symptomatic” cases). (publications.aap.org)
Can mouth breathing affect teeth or facial growth?
Research frequently reports associations between chronic oral breathing and dentofacial changes (including certain malocclusions) and postural adaptations in children. If you notice ongoing mouth breathing, it’s worth evaluating the airway and contributing factors. (pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov)
Is myofunctional therapy a treatment for sleep apnea?
Myofunctional therapy is studied as an adjunct option, especially in adults. Several systematic reviews and meta-analyses report improvements in measures like sleepiness and sleep quality, with mixed findings across outcomes and study designs. Diagnosis and treatment planning for sleep apnea should be guided by qualified medical providers. (pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov)
Glossary (helpful terms you may hear)
Articulation
How speech sounds are made (for example, /s/, /r/, /k/). Articulation therapy helps a child learn accurate sound placement and patterns.
Orofacial Myofunctional Disorders (OMDs)
Atypical patterns involving the muscles and movements of the face and mouth, often including tongue rest posture, swallow patterns, and sometimes mouth breathing or tongue thrusting. (asha.org)
Tongue thrust
A pattern where the tongue pushes forward during speech or swallowing. It can be associated with OMDs and may contribute to speech sound distortions for some people. (asha.org)
Ankyloglossia (tongue-tie)
A restrictive lingual frenulum that may limit tongue movement. The AAP encourages careful assessment, particularly for breastfeeding concerns. (publications.aap.org)
Airway evaluation
A structured look at breathing patterns, oral rest posture, and contributing factors (like chronic congestion) that may affect sleep, energy, and orofacial function.