Speech Therapy For Children

Tongue-Thrust/Myofunctional Therapy for Children

When the tongue moves horizontally and forward against the front teeth rather than vertically towards the palate during a swallow, this is called a tongue-thrust.  A tongue-thrust is a problem if it threatens speech, dentition, or the effectiveness of orthodontic treatment.  Myofunctional therapy is an exercise-based treatment in which children learn to rest their tongue and oral muscles in a healthy position for speech and swallowing, produce speech with correct vertical tongue movement and to chew and swallow efficiently.