For Tongue Thrusting & Orthodontic Anomalies

We are specialists in Swallowing Disorders and provide treatment by repositioning the tongue and strengthening the orofacial muscles in addition to treating the articulation disorder.

There is a definite relationship between certain types of speech articulation disorders and orofacial muscle imbalance. If the orofacial muscles are not functioning properly, one's chewing, swallowing and articulation may be affected.

There may be specific speech misarticulation and/or distortions such as those found in the sounds [s, z, sh, ch, j, er]. In addition, dentalization and interdentalization may occur on the [t, d, n, l] sounds. Difficulty with any of these sounds very often is related to poor tongue posture and malpositioning of the tongue when one swallows. Conversational speech may be sluggish and slow; words may be slurred, unclear or imprecise.

Young children with apraxia struggle mightily to develop speech that other children develop with little effort. Children with apraxia have difficulty correctly putting together the movement patterns and sequences needed to produce sounds, syllables or words. This is especially true when they are trying their hardest to speak clearly. Thus, we say that, apraxia of speech affects the child's volitional control of speech movements.

Most often children with apraxia understand language well. However, try as they might, they cannot make their mouth do what their brain wants it to. The result is that children with apraxia are often silent, misunderstood, and their thoughts and ideas are locked inside.

Ann E. Gordon and her staff of Licensed Speech-Language Pathologists provide Speech-Language Therapy for a variety of other communication difficulties.

Please call or e-mail for a brochure, literature or a free demonstration of our programs.