From thumb sucking to jaw clenching, oral habits and how to eliminate them is one of the most common challenges faced by parents, therapists, and caregivers. These behaviors may seem harmless or even soothing at first—but when they persist beyond the appropriate developmental stage, they can interfere with speech clarity, feeding efficiency, and jaw stability. […]
Ask a Therapist: Dopamine Feedback Loop
The question Do you know where I can find more information on the dopamine feedback loop when the alveolar ridge is stimulated? I know this was discussed when I learned about tongue restrictions and oral habits, but I’d love more information. Do you know where I can find more information on the dopamine feedback loop […]
Ask A Therapist: Eliminating a Non-Nutritive Suckle
Assessment and Treatment of the Jaw, jaw book, non-nutritive suck, Non-Nutritive Suckle, nutrition, straw hierarchy, suckle, tmj
Ask A Therapist: When to Start Tongue Retraction Exercises
I have attended two of Sara‘s workshops. I have a 7-11 year old student with a frontal lisp who still sucks his thumb at night and sometimes during the day. His tongue is forward with an open mouth position when he is at rest. I haven’t yet checked to see if his swallow is affected. Should […]
Dashiell Wins the Award for Self-Advocacy
“When our son Dashiell was born in early 2004 with Down syndrome, we immediately began researching possible intervention and therapy options. We realized that in our talkative family, speech would be our priority. When we found an article by Sara Rosenfeld-Johnson, MS, CCC-SLP about her oral-motor therapy, the connections between feeding and speech really made sense to […]
Ask A Therapist: A Therapeutic Alternative to Mouthing Habits
Hi Sara, It has been awhile since we have seen you in Richmond! James is doing well. His speech seems pretty normal to us at this point (maybe some subtle things remaining). I was emailing with a related question, and hoping that you can point us in the right direction. James has had some issues […]
Ask A Therapist: Bite Tube Hierarchy for TMJ Stimulation
Dear TalkTools, My son, David, is 4 years old and has Down syndrome. He has, in the last year, started chewing on his tongue. I have tried giving him the P & Q to chew on and also the Gator Jiggler. The Gator works for a time and the P’s and Q’s do not seem […]