I am equipped to evaluate oral and facial muscle function and will develop a curated treatment plan for each client. I often will collaborate with dentists, orthodontists, speech-language pathologists and other professionals to provide comprehensive care.
My Specialty Area
Speech sound errors can be just the tip of the iceberg. A Myofunctional asessment will look at the underlying foundational skills to see what else is affecting the speech system.
Orofacial myofunctional interventions are conducted by appropriately trained speech-language pathologists (SLPs) as part of a collaborative team. SLPs provide these services as members of interprofessional teams that include the individual, family or caregivers, and relevant professionals (e.g., medical, dental, orthodontic personnel).
As indicated in the ASHA Code of Ethics (ASHA, 2023), SLPs who serve this population should be specifically educated and appropriately trained to do so. Additionally, clinicians should adhere to ASHA’s Scope of Practice in Speech-Language Pathology (ASHA, 2016) as well as local laws and regulations and employer standards to guide their practice.
Signs & Symptoms of Oromyofunctional Disorders (OMDs)
Habitual open-mouth, lips-apart resting posture.
Structural differences, such as:
a restricted lingual frenulum, also known as tongue-tie or ankyloglossia, and
dental malocclusions, such as excessive anterior overjet and anterior, bilateral, unilateral, or posterior open bite and underbite.
Abnormal tongue resting posture, either forward, interdental, or lateral posterior (unilateral or bilateral), which does not allow for a typical resting relationship between the tongue, teeth, and jaws, otherwise known as the interocclusal space at rest (Mason, 2011).
Distorted productions of /s, z/, often with an interdental lisp, or abnormal lingual dental articulatory placement for /t, d, l, n, ʧ, ʤ, ʃ, ʓ/.
Drooling and lack of oral control, specifically past the age of 4 years (Riva et al., 2022).
Lack of a consistent lingual–palatal seal and/or tongue thrust during swallows.
Sleep-disordered breathing or sleep apnea (Hoang et al., 2023; Ikävalko et al., 2018).
Temporomandibular disorders such as bruxism, or teeth grinding.
Interprofessional Team
Interprofessional practice is essential because assessment of OMDs has many possible aspects, which often require an integrated team approach. See also ASHA’s resource in the link below on interprofessional education/ interprofessional practice (IPE/IPP). The speech-language pathologist (SLP) makes a referral to and collaborates with one or more of the following professionals:
allergist
orofacial myologist
dentist
lactation consultant
occupational therapist
oral surgeon
orthodontist
otolaryngologist/ENT
physician
plastic surgeon
respiratory therapist
sleep apnea specialist
A compassionate, skilled pathologist who truly cares
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This approach accelerated his progress way beyond our expectations. Today, his expressive language has blossomed; he articulates his thoughts with growing confidence, connects more easily with peers, and navigates emotions with remarkable stability now that he can communicate his needs. We highly recommend Luna to any family seeking a compassionate, skilled pathologist who truly cares.
—S. & G. C. Parents of child seen at home and in school
