At Long Island Stuttering & Speech Pathology, we take a holistic and collaborative approach to providing orofacial myofunctional therapy for children, teens, and adults.
What is an Orofacial Myofunctional Disorder (OMD)?
OMDs are caused by atypical muscle patterns that interfere with the growth, development, or function of the structures in the face and mouth. At Long Island Stuttering & Speech Pathology, we treat the following causes and symptoms of OMDs:
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Tongue ties, lip ties, and buccal ties (both pre- and post-surgical release)
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Incorrect oral rest posture
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Mouth breathing
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Snoring
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Feeding and chewing difficulties
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Atypical swallow pattern
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Difficulty swallowing pills
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Tongue thrust
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Persistent speech sound errors (e.g., a lisp)
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TMJ and facial tension
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Chronic headaches
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Oral habits like thumb sucking, pacifier sucking, and tongue sucking
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Malocclusion and changes in dentition
Orofacial Myofunctional Evaluations
In order to see the "big picture," we will gather as much information as possible about your medical history, face and mouth muscle function, and speech sound production abilities. At Long Island Stuttering & Speech Pathology, our comprehensive evaluations include the following:
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Detailed medical and case history form
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Client and/or parent interview
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Oral exam (e.g., tongue, lips, cheeks, facial, soft palate, hard palate, tonsils)
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Identification of any tethered oral tissues (i.e., tongue, lip, or buccal ties)
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Observation of current breathing, chewing, and swallowing patterns
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Assessment of articulation skills
After the evaluation is complete, we will provide a written evaluation report with our findings and recommendations. If necessary, we will also discuss referrals to other health care providers such as ENTs, oral surgeons, airway specialists, orthodontists, dentists, gastroenterologists, physicians, or body work professionals for best treatment outcomes.
How Myofunctional Therapy Can Help
Getting to the root of myofunctional issues can improve speech, swallowing, feeding, and sleep. We develop targeted treatments to help the muscles of the mouth and face function at their best, resulting in:
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Proper nasal breathing (leading to improved sleep, increased energy, etc.)
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Correct chewing and swallowing patterns
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Improved tongue and lip resting posture
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Greater success with eating a variety of foods
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Better oral hygiene
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Fewer orthodontic issues
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Less drooling/improved saliva management
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Elimination of oral habits such as thumb sucking
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Elimination of tongue thrust pattern
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Improved speech clarity and accuracy
Long Island Stuttering & Speech Pathology works with clients, families, and other health care professionals to ensure that myofunctional therapy is as effective as possible. Each session will be tailored directly to your needs, and you will be provided with required home exercises throughout the process!
