Speech

Articulation and Clarity

Mouth breathing and a tongue thrust are conditions that involve improper tongue position and movement. Individuals with this condition usually struggle to make the correct sounds —most notably the “S” sound. Lisping is a symptom where the tongue protrudes between the teeth when making the “S” sound, resulting to a “th” sound. The tip of the tongue should elevate and remain in contact with “the spot” when making the “S” sound.

Other specific sounds that are connected with mouth breathing and tongue thrusting are “T”, “D”, “N” and “L”. These sounds require precise movement and placement of the tongue (particularly tongue-tip elevation) which makes them challenging for those without fine control of their oral muscles.

Another condition that can impede speech production is a restricted lingual frenum (tongue-tie). A tight or short lingual frenum can result in a poor and limited range of motion and a lack of coordination needed for proper speech production.

How orofacial myofunctional therapy can help

Myofunctional therapy teaches precise movements and placement of the tongue, along with muscle control. If the muscles and tongue are not working properly, an individual can experience difficulty producing certain sounds. Myofunctional therapy does not replace speech therapy, but can be an adjunct to speech therapy and can help with results.