Do you have any patients that you’re really struggling with? Perhaps a long-term patient, who has experienced little improvement over the years?
Maybe you should try something new. Have you considered the possibility of an underlying Orofacial Myofunctional Disorder (OMD)?
According to the American Academy of Private Practice in Speech Pathology and Audiology (AAPPSPA), “Patients with OMDs may present with articulation errors that do not resolve with traditional models of therapy. The connection between tongue placement, swallowing, dental alignment and sibilant production has been thoroughly supported by the International Association of Orofacial Myology. Clinical evidence has been documented repeatedly by active Orofacial Myologists to indicate direct correlation between remediation of Orofacial Myofunctional Disorders and persistent speech sound disorders.”
As a RDH, I do not treat speech disorders, but I would be happy to evaluate your patient’s oral rest posture and swallow with a complimentary screening.