ORAL MOTOR Deficits in children with autism

With most apraxic children it’s not that they physically ‘can’t’ blow bubbles or blow out candles etc. -it’s that they can’t do it when they want to/on command -a motor planning problem. Of course each child is different and in some cases children also have a weakness problem on top of the motor planning problem. This is why it takes a comprehensive evaluation by both medical and speech professionals. In addition, if a child is not responding to the therapies -it’s possible a misdiagnosis was made -and/or the child also has other undiagnosed underlying issues which are not being addressed as well. (another good reason for multOral Motor IdeasOral motor exercises are important for increasing muscle tone / muscle strength so speech is possible. Even for children that already talk – these are great ideas for improving speech clarity.Following exercises are intended to give your child a variety of oral motor experiences in an enjoyable way.1) BLOWINGdandelions that have gone to seedcotton, dry cornmeal or feathers across the tablekleenex in the airbubbles from bubble wand, or in the bath, from palm of handwhistlesstraws: blows in milk to make froth and bubbleson a winter day, blow on a frosty pane2) CHEWING AND JAW STRENGTHLicorice: can pull on it as child clenches (playful pull)jerky: make teeth marks on jerkyfruit roll-ups or fruit chewsshow how to put directly on top of molarstaffy3) LICKINGpopsiclessuckersice cream coneslick out bowl (never mind etiquette)lick off something sticky from top lip, bottom lip or corners of mouthpretend to be like a kitty, licking paws4) TONGUE SOUNDSImitate rhythmclickingla la la to musicblow “raspberry” with tongue5) TONGUE MOVEMENTmove food from one cheek to other, using tongue; you show child in an exaggerated way how to do thismove tongue to touch corners of mouthclear food from cheek with tongue like chipmunkbalance Cherrio like cereal or small food on tongue; then bring balanced food in and out of mouth6) LIPShold Cherrio like cereal in lips like whistle “puckering lips”tight seal to say “mmmmmm”tight seal around strawtight seal to hold paper between lips; play tug of warhummingkazoo or whistle with lips formed around7) SUCKINGstraws with thick milkshake or nectar to strengthen suckpractice sound as you pretend to feed a doll (tongue on top of mouth w/ pressure)