Oral-Tactile Archives - Page 3 of 3 - Marshalla Speech & Language

Tag: Oral-Tactile

“Marshalla Eye Dropper Technique” For Drooling Elimination

By Pam Marshalla

This opinion paper was originally posted as a downloadable PDF on my website, authored in November, 2012. Download the original PDF here. *** “Marshalla Eye Dropper Technique” For Drooling Elimination November 2012, Pam Marshalla, MA, CCC-SLP Speech-Language Pathologist Application This simple process is to be done in conjunction with a good program to facilitate improved oral-motor and feeding skills. It can be employed even if child is on medication or has had surgery to reduce or eliminate drooling. This method is…

Getting the Tongue-Tip to Curl Up and Back

By Pam Marshalla

Q: How do you get a tongue-tip to curl up and back toward the velum for the retroflex R? I have been using cream cheese, but it does not stick to the palate well, and I have been pushing the tongue back, but the child just doesn’t get what I want him to do. First, using food on the palate is an old-time popular method to stimulate tongue movement, but I never use food. You have to analyze the stimulus. …

Making L Sound Better

By Pam Marshalla

Q: I have a number of clients whose L doesn’t sound right. The tongue-tip is lifting to the alveolar ridge, but the sound is muffled and just a little distorted. Do you have any suggestions? The tongue-tip probably is elevating without the full tongue thinning enough. Try this: Have the client say La-La-La with the jaw lower. Lowering the jaw usually thins the tongue. Have him say Ah first, and have him keep saying Ah while he says L. Make…

Marking Place of Articulation

By Pam Marshalla

Q: Do you have any suggestions on how to get a child to place his tongue on “The Spot” (the alveolar ridge)? We tried placing cream cheese as a placement cue but no result. You are on the right track in using tactile stimulation. I call this “Marking the Target” of articulation. But your stimulus is too weak. Cream cheese is barely perceptible in the mouth because it is too smooth, and it adapts quickly to body temperature. You want…

A Crooked Tongue on R

By Pam Marshalla

Q: I have been teaching R using your L-to-R sliding and tapping methods. However the further back my client tries to pull his tongue-tip the more it pulls to his left. He cannot keep it at midline past the middle of his palate, and he is not able to get a good R. I have not encountered this, but these are the methods I would use to address it– Have him use his finger, or another tool, and trace down…

“It hurts”: Helping Clients Handle Oral Input

By Pam Marshalla

Q: When I try to use a tongue depressor or any other tool in my client’s mouth, he backs off right away and says, “It hurts.” He does this even before I use the tool to touch his mouth or do anything. I don’t think he’s hypersensitive. I think he’s refusing just to refuse. He is four-years-old and I am trying to elicit a K and a G. I think you are right. A little guy like that may use…

Stimulating Lip Movement

By Pam Marshalla

Q: What can I do from a muscle-based perspective to engage the upper lip? There have been many methods of stimulating lip movement in the articulation, motor speech, oral motor, feeding, dysphagia, and orofacial myofunctional literature. The following sources are my favorite ones for activities to facilitate lip mobility. [Presented alphabetically] Dworkin, J. P. (1991). Motor speech disorders: A treatment guide. St. Louis: Mosby. Garliner, D. (1981) Myofunctional therapy. Coral Gables: Institute for Myofunctional Therapy. Marshalla, P. J. (1992). Oral…