Tag: Orofacial Myology

Lateral Lisp, Palatal Expander, and Oral Habits

By Pam Marshalla

Q: I am working with an eight-year-old boy who has a lateral lisp as well as orthodontic problems and oral habits. He has severe lip-licking and nail-biting habits, and he has a narrow palate that will need expansion. I am thinking that he may do better in therapy once the palatal expander is removed. What are your thoughts? One could approach this problem from many angles, but this would be my basic line of thinking: A lateral lisp is a…

Orofacial Myology Information

By Pam Marshalla

Q: How can I find out about orofacial myofuctional therapy? Go to the website for the International Association of Orofacial Myology. According to their website, “The IAOM provides information about Orofacial Myological disorders including: tongue thrust, improper mouth posture and incorrect swallowing patterns.”

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…