Oral Motor Disorders – Robyn Merkel-Walsh

Oral motor skills — the coordinated movements of the lips, tongue, jaw, and cheeks — are the foundation for both feeding and speech. When these movements are weak, uncoordinated, or restricted, the result can be unclear speech, feeding difficulties, drooling, or open-mouth resting posture.

Robyn treats a broad range of oral motor disorders including low oral muscle tone, dysarthria, Childhood Apraxia of Speech (CAS), Down syndrome, and motor-based speech sound disorders. Treatment incorporates Oral Placement Therapy (OPT), the Beckman Oral Motor Protocol, and PROMPT techniques as appropriate for each patient.

Oral motor treatment at this practice addresses:

Low oral muscle tone (hypotonia)
Dysarthria in children and adults
Childhood Apraxia of Speech (CAS)
Down syndrome — feeding and speech
Drooling and oral hygiene challenges
Open mouth resting posture
Motor-based speech sound disorders

Please visit the schedule page to book your appointment.