I am curious about Orofacial Myofunctional Therapy

Curious about OMT?

At Spot, we understand that navigating the world of healthcare and therapy options can be overwhelming. One question many families ask is, “Is orofacial myofunctional therapy the right choice for us, and where do we even begin?” Let’s explore the basics and provide some guidance to help you make informed decisions.

What is Orofacial Myofunctional Therapy (OMT)?

OMT is a specialised field that focuses on the muscles and functions of the mouth, face, and throat. It addresses various concerns, including speech difficulties, feeding issues, and oral habits like thumb-sucking. The primary goal is to optimise the resting posture of the tongue and lips, ensuring proper speech, feeding, and swallowing functions.

Could OMT Benefit My Family?

• Speech and Language Development: If your child is experiencing persistent speech sound errors, lisps, or difficulties with certain sounds, OMT may be beneficial. It’s essential to consider OMT if speech errors are related to tongue and lip muscle functions.
• Feeding Challenges: OMT can support children facing feeding difficulties, including tongue thrust swallows and other oral motor issues. If mealtimes are a source of stress or discomfort for your child, OMT might help.
• Oral Habits: Thumb-sucking, nail-biting, and other oral habits can be addressed through OMT. These habits can sometimes be indicators of underlying orofacial myofunctional concerns.

Where to Start?

In order to establish the most appropriate starting point for intervention, a full assessment of speech, swallowing and orofacial function, is recommended. Collecting a detailed case history is often very important, particularly for adults whose difficulties may have emerged later in life (e.g. following a car accident, neck injury or prolonged period of illness).

Spot’s Administrative team can support you to find a therapist, time and location that best suits your availability.

What to Expect:

What to Expect:

1. Assessment: We will conduct a thorough evaluation to identify specific concerns and challenges. This assessment guides our recommendations and therapy plan.
2. Personalised Treatment: If OMT is recommended, our therapy plan will be tailored to your family member’s unique needs. Therapy often involves exercises and activities that are engaging and age-appropriate.
3. Support and Education: We’re here to support you throughout the process. Our team will provide guidance, answer questions, and empower you through your journey.

Still Curious?

If you’re curious about orofacial myofunctional therapy and whether it’s the right choice for your family, contact us at Spot Therapy Hub