Orofacial Myofunctional Therapy: When It Feels Like Something More Is Going On
Parents, you know your child better than anyone else. You do all the therapy and appointments but there is still something off and you cannot quite put your finger on what it is. A little fact about the human body - it is all connected! Our efforts for therapy may be covering up some symptoms of something much bigger and that is where myofunctional therapy comes in!
While all the symptoms indicating need for myofunctional therapymay look random, they are all interconnected and begin with our mouth/airway. Fascinating, huh?
Symptoms we tend to see:
Sleep
waking up tired
restless sleep
frequent wakings in the night
snoring
night terrors
bedwetting at an older age
Teeth grinding
Eating
messy eating
difficulty chewing and/or swallowing
gagging
overstuffing
labeled as a “picky” eater
Behavior
difficult time focusing
hyperactive or impulsive
dysregulated
it feels like your child has ADHD
Posture
open mouth posture (mouth breathing)
forward head posture
slouched when sitting
Oral Habits
thumb sucking, especially as an older child
nail biting
prolonged pacifier use
lip or cheek chewing
tongue thrust, lisp
Dental
no spacing between baby teeth
high, narrow arch on palate
tongue and/or lip ties
poor motor control for speech and chewing
orthodontic concerns, including relapses
All of these help us find the root cause! These patterns seem small but overtime can actually make significant challenges for your child, including dental/jaw misalignment, speech concerns, behavioral concerns, and sleep concerns.
But why OMT?
Myofunctional therapists target the root cause to ensure your body is set up for success! Myofunctional therapy builds awareness, strength, coordination, and proper function so the body can work as it was designed, naturally and efficiently! Pretty cool!
Therapy consists of specialized, gentle exercises designed to retrain the muscles in the face and jaw. Since every person has different symptoms and concerns, a myofunctional therapist can look at what muscle is being impacted and provide specific exercises to help. This program is not a one size fits all and is targeted specifically for your child and their needs.
During therapy, the therapist, child, and family members will work together to focus on correcting these dysfunctional oral habits:
mouth breathing
incorrect tongue posture (Check out this resource for how you can start helping your child with this today!)
tongue thrusting
oral habits
improper labial (lip) seal
Early intervention is important with myofunctional therapy as we can then set a foundation for proper breathing and oral rest posture which can support children as they grow and develop.
Therapy is family focused, encouraging, and built around real life. We know families are busy and these home exercises can be built right into your already established daily routines :)
Myofunctional therapists play a part in this care for your child. However, collaboration with other healthcare professionals is also important when looking at the whole picture and ensuring we are providing the most comprehensive care possible.
Your myofunctional therapist may refer you to other professionals, but this is not to discourage you but to empower you!
Here is what other professionals can help with on this journey:
Dentists - ensure there is enough room in the mouth for the tongue to rest properly
bite alignment
palatal expanders, braces, other orthodontic appliances
tongue/lip ties releases
Allergists - clear up nasal congestion for better nasal breathing
test for possible allergies - food and environmental then help treat them
airway inflammation or chronic congestion
ENTs (Ear, Nose, Throat Specialists) - to address any structural concerns blocking the airway and preventing nasal breathing
evaluate airways obstructions - enlarged tonsils and/or adenoids
address nasal breathing complications
provide surgical interventions if required
Pediatricians - look at child’s overall growth
monitors child’s development
addresses any other underlying medical concerns that may be impacting
YOU!
carryover home exercises
encourage progress by staying positive and keeping exercises fun
bring awareness for postural changes and reminders for proper tongue placement throughout the day
So what is the goal of all of this?
Myofunctional therapy work with children age 4 and up to establish better oral rest posture and proper nasal breathing by strengthening muscles and improving coordination between all the structures. Parents often report better sleep, more energy, increased focus, improved eating habits, and an overall healthier child.
We are here to help you! If any of this sounds like your child, reach out to us today. We are more than happy to walk alongside you on this journey.
Let’s grow healthier together!!
Brittany Hoffmire, MS, CCC-SLP/L
The Way to Grow Pediatric Therapy Team 🌟
about our featured writer:
Meet Brittany, speech-language pathologist and feeding therapist, and our go-to expert for all things gestalt language processing, picky eating, and Orofacial Myofunctional Therapy! Brittany received her Master’s of Science from St. Ambrose University, and has been a staple on team Way to Grow since May 2020. Growing up watching her Mom provide in-home care, Brittany was drawn to speech therapy through her own fascination with the clients’ AAC device! Brittany knew right away that she wanted to help others find their “voice”. Furthermore, having been diagnosed with Selective Mutism as a child also motivated Brittany to pursue a career that has been an integral part of her life. Brittany loves working with children and their families to build relationships and celebrate milestones. In her free time, Brittany enjoys watching 80’s and 90’s movies like Jurassic Park or Back to the Future. You might also find her “in the wild” attending baseball games or checking out local coffee shops with her husband or beloved nephews!
