Does your child have difficulty chewing food or drinking from a cup or bottle? Do you have trouble understanding your child when they speak? If your answer to either of these questions is yes, your child may have oral motor dysfunction.
What is an oral motor dysfunction?
Oral motor skills involve strength, coordination, awareness, and movement of the tongue, jaw, cheeks, and lips. Oral motor dysfunction may occur when the brain attempts to send signals to the mouth muscles, but the muscles do not receive or interpret the signals properly.
How can Skills on the Hill help my child?
Our skilled therapists will conduct a comprehensive evaluation and you will be asked to provide a medical history and your concerns. Next, the therapist will develop a comprehensive treatment program and provide you with education so you can better understand what therapy will look like. You will be vital to the carryover of a home exercise program so that consistent progress can be made.
Signs of oral motor dysfunction may include but are not limited to difficulty drinking from an open cup or through a straw, frequent drooling, limited tongue movement, and trouble speaking. These challenges may result from a medical condition or be related to a developmental delay.
Ready to get started?
Skills on the Hill in Washington, DC, and Arlington, VA pediatric therapists help children improve their oral motor skills for effective eating, drinking, and communication. If you believe your child is not meeting the proper milestones in regards to their oral motor skills, contact us today.
Choose The Next Step For Your Child’s Path Forward
In-Person Screening And Consults
Not Sure If Pediatric Therapy Is Right For You?
Experience How We Can Help with In-person Screenings and Consultations.
Schedule Your Screening!Online Developmental Checklist
Concerned About Your Child’s Development?
Complete our online Developmental Milestone Checklist to learn whether your child is on track or may need extra support.
Get Answers Now!
