Orofacial Myofunctional Therapy

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  Orofacial myofunctional therapy is an oral exercise-based intervention program focused on treatment of non-nutritive sucking habits, other detrimental orofacial habits, abnormal orofacial rest posture, neuromuscular muscle patterns associated with abnormal mastication, bolus, formation, and deglutition, abnormal swallowing patterns, tongue thrust, disordered speech patterns, and abnormal functional breathing patterns. 

• Proper tongue resting posture
• Lip seal at rest
• Nasal breathing
• Eliminate oral habits
• Increase strength & coordination of oral musculature
• Appropriate chewing pattern
• Appropriate swallow pattern

• Mouth breathing
• Malocclusion (underbite, overbite, open bite, crowding, poor jaw alignment) 
• Tongue and lip ties
• Tongue thrust & lisp
• Sleep disordered breathing & apnea
• Prolonged oral habits (tongue, finger, thumb sucking, nail biting), prolonged pacifier use
• Jaw, neck, or facial pain
• Low tongue rest posture
• Difficulty chewing or swallowing, messy eating
• Speech errors

 Therapy can start as early as 4 years of age. Child should be able to attend and follow directions/imitate oral movements. Oral imitation and control are addressed and will improve with therapy as well. Therapy for younger children is available and will appropriately differ from therapy with older children and adults. That is the reason we offer different programs based on ages and readiness.

We offer the following:

MYO Consult: virtual consult to learn your concerns, answer 

questions, establish needs, plan treatment and referrals

MYO Program: full program up to 12 months in duration with 

assessment and treatment for children 4+ years of age

Mini MYO Program: early program approximately 6 months in duration designed to jumpstart skills for children under 4 years of age 

(Appropriate program is determined at time of consultation)