Oral Motor Development

Oral Motor Some children with speech impairments may exhibit deficits in oral-motor function that affect the neuromuscular control and organization needed for the production of intelligible speech. These deficits may manifests themselves as hyposensitivity (reduced reactions to sensation) ; hypersensitivity ( overly strong reactions to sensation) ; or weakness or in coordination of oral structures, including the jaw, tongue, lips, or palate.

It is important to realize that speech is not an isolated act but the product of a highly complex and synchronized oral-motor system. Further oral-motor treatment is conducted with regard for a child's overall neuromuscular profile. The therapy generally consists of a variety of tongue, lip and jaw exercises.

Training for non speech motor patterns like sucking, chewing, and swallowing, intervention for the oral control and understanding the basis of sensory issues. The therapy addresses the following areas:

Heighten conscious awareness of the oral mechanism

• Normalize ( increase or decrease) sensitivity to stimulate the oral area

• To inhibit primitive or abnormal reflex patterns in the oral mechanism, while enhancing normal movement patterns

• To increase differentiation and stabilization of the oral structures

• To refine articulation movement by increasing the strength and range of motion of oral mechanism.

• To increase jaw control so as to provide a stable base for finely graded movements of the lips and tongue

• Strengthen lip movement/ improve muscle tone

• Improve tongue control for elevation and lateralization