Month: January 2008

Oral Motor Therapy vs. Non-Speech Oral Motor Exercises

By Pam Marshalla

Q: What is the difference between “oral motor therapy” and “non-speech oral motor exercises”? Therapy is a process comprised of techniques. Exercise is one type of technique. This topic has been discussed extensively at the Oral Motor Institute in the article “Oral Motor Treatment vs. Non-speech Oral Motor Exercises: Historical Clinical Evidence of Twenty-two Fundamental Methods.” (Volume No. 2, Monograph No. 2, 9 April 2008.)

Classic 5-Part Problem (anterior open bite, high arch palate, reverse swallow pattern, frontal lisp, an oral habit like sucking)

By Pam Marshalla

Q: My client has an inter-dental lisp, possibly a tongue thrust, a high narrow palate and an anterior open bite. He also has difficulty with /r/ in all positions. I only saw him one time and do not want to waste time in therapy. Should I send him to the orthodontist before beginning therapy? Is there anything I can do in terms of exercises to help him? This client represents most of what I call the 5-Part Problem: An anterior…

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Spitting Out Toothpaste

By Pam Marshalla

Q: How can we teach our five-year-old child on the autism spectrum to spit out his toothpaste after brushing? Perhaps you could start with a solid object, like a rubber ball. SAFETY TIP: Use a ball large enough to fit in his mouth but not too small that he might swallow it. Also make sure it doesn’t taste bad. Some rubber objects taste really bad. Have him learn to put the ball in his mouth and then “spit” it out…

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