Oral motor skills

Oral motor skills are an important part of speech development and refer to the ability to control the muscles in the mouth and face. For children and adolescents with speech-language disorders or motor difficulties, oral motor therapy can help improve their skills.

The therapy focuses on developing oral motor skills, such as chewing, swallowing, and speaking. A therapist works with the child to perform exercises and activities designed to strengthen the muscles in the mouth and face.

This therapy is particularly helpful for children with eating and drinking difficulties who struggle to chew and swallow certain foods. It can also help children improve their speech development by learning to control their lips, tongue, and jaw muscles.

Parents can also do exercises at home to improve their child’s oral motor skills, such as chewing hard or sticky foods or playing oral games that require control of the muscles in the mouth and face.

Overall, oral motor therapy can help improve the quality of life for children and adolescents with motor or speech difficulties by helping them develop their skills and build their self-confidence.