We have some fun pictures in this update including one of Belle with her extremely loving brother and sister. You can also see Belle enjoying her veggie straws at therapy (notice her food placement on her side molars) and having fun with some Play-Doh. Our family’s schedule has been quite busy lately, so I try my best to get […]
Podcast: A Case for Oral Placement Therapy (OPT)
Recently, TalkTools® Presenter Robyn Merkel-Walsh, MA, CCC-SLP joined Jeff Stepen, MS, CCC-SLP on his podcast, Conversations in Speech Pathology. In the podcast, Robyn discusses common misconceptions about Oral Placement Therapy (OPT). Click below to listen to the podcast. We encourage everyone to add their thoughts for discussion in the comments section on the Conversations in Speech Pathology page.
21 MONTHS: REPEATING WORDS
Belle is continuing to progress month after month. She has become more vocal, and she has officially mastered walking. Belle is confident in her ability to walk anywhere she wants to go. She consistently says 23+ words and is trying to say several more but may leave the beginning or ending sounds off. For example, in […]
Orofacial Myofunctional Disorders in Individuals with a Down Syndrome
By: Robyn Merkel-Walsh MA, CCC-SLP Presentation of the Problem: Individuals with Down syndrome are at risk for what is known as Orofacial Myofunctional Disorders or OMD. OMD can impact the oral phase of feeding, oral resting postures and oral placement skills for speech clarity. OMD issues require tactile therapies which include Myofunctional and Oral Placement Therapy (OPT). Myofunctional therapy […]
Overcoming the Unexpected
Learning something from a previous experience or mistake is a common thing in life. We all do it. But putting into action what you learned may take more effort. I think this is common as well. As I left off on the last blog, we were exiting second grade and a year that proved full […]
THE DSCBA MAKES A BIG IMPACT
The Down Syndrome Connection of the Bay Area’s mission is to promote the unique contributions of children and adults with Down syndrome by providing direct services to them and their families, and to educate the general public by fostering inclusive and integrated involvement with the Down syndrome community and society at large. The DSCBA has put together a […]
18 MONTHS: CHEWING WITH HER NEW TEETH
Annabelle is continuing to do well with her straws and eating. Several of her teeth are coming in all at the same time so she is getting to eat a bigger variety of foods, which she enjoys. We continue to do her OPT exercises twice a day. She doesn’t love them, but I try to […]
Interning in Advocacy
I left everyone last month by saying that Elizabeth was going to school! What an accomplishment for her and her strength. Yes our little Elizabeth is in school. Everyday of every week she is in school. She has a great intervention teacher and a very nice inclusion teacher. The inclusion teacher is the one who […]
17 MONTHS: ATTENDING A COURSE AND IMPROVING HER EXERCISES
I recently attended the “Three-Part Treatment Plan for Oral Placement Therapy” and it was great. Monica was the presenter and I really learned a lot. It helped to show me what exercises and goals we will continue to progress towards. I know that Belle has a long way to go, but being in a routine of daily exercises for the […]
EARLY ORAL-MOTOR INTERVENTIONS FOR PEDIATRIC FEEDING PROBLEMS: WHAT, WHEN AND HOW
“Early Oral-Motor Interventions for Pediatric Feeding Problems: What, When and How” Authors: Cecilia J. Manno, Catherine Fox, Peggy S. Eicher and MaryLouise E. Kerwin JEIBI VOLUME 2, ISSUE NO. 3, Fall, 2005 ABSTRACT Children with developmental delays often have feeding difficulties resulting from oral-motor problems. Based on both clinical experience and a review of published […]